In just 42 short days, the January transfer window will open. And while that will prompt an intense month of speculation, it also opens the door to something else.
At Liverpool, supporters will eagerly wait to see if Jurgen Klopp plans to sign a new left-sided centre-back or holding midfielder. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah’s departure to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, amid ongoing uncertainty regarding his long-term future, will perhaps prompt fresh debate regarding a potential long-term successor. For the record, if you are holding out hope for a new number six to walk through the doors at Anfield, you are likely to be setting yourself up for disappointment. Club sources suggest that there is at present no desire to recruit a midfielder in the New Year.
Only time will tell if such a stance remains unchanged, with it not yet known if the Reds intend to be active in the mid-season transfer window or not. They have strengthened in the last four January windows at least, signing Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Ozan Kabak, Ben Davies, and Takumi Minamino.
But regardless of potential incomings, this time of year always presents fresh scrutiny on the future of those entering the final six months of their Liverpool contracts. Come January 1, they are free to discuss pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs, and edge a step closer to the exit door. The Reds currently have four players due to be out of contract in the summer of 2024 in Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Adrian, and Conor Bradley. At least with the latter, it is worth noting that the Athletic reported in the summer that the Northern Ireland international had agreed a new three-year contract with Liverpool, even if no official announcement has yet been made.
While we can perhaps assume that the 20-year-old’s future is seemingly decided, it is a different story for his three senior team-mates.
Thiago continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield and turned down an approach from Saudi Arabia in the summer. Since then, clubs from Spain, Turkey, and Italy have all been linked with his signature. The Spaniard hasn’t featured for the Reds since April after undergoing hip surgery, with four substitute appearances that month his only outings since he last started a game back at the start of February. While it was hoped he would be fit for the start of the season after undergoing surgery, a couple of setbacks have left him sidelined until 2024.
Nevertheless, he remains one of the club’s highest-earners and will turn 33 before the end of the season, with his current unavailability making his place in the club’s pecking order amid an £150m summer midfield revamp unclear.
While you would hope he can return to fitness in 2024 and enjoy a strong second half of the season, it would be no surprise if he was allowed to leave the club at the end of his contract. Given his current struggles, the club’s decision has been made easy for them with an imminent exit seeming inevitable. It will be curious to see if the Reds would even consider cashing in in January should an offer present itself with it clear, no matter what Thiago could offer in the rest of the season, that Liverpool’s long-term future is without him.
Thiago Alcantara with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a pre-season training session at AXA Training Centre
Thiago Alcantara with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a pre-season training session at AXA Training Centre
