Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Thursday, February 2.
Liverpool's January transfer window winners and losers
Transfer deadline day came and went with a whimper at the AXA Training Centre as Liverpool opted against adding to their squad.
What had been expected to be a quiet day became a silent one after Ibrahima Konate's hamstring injury blocked Nat Phillips from exploring the possibility of his own exit.
Having signed Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven at the start of the month, Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment department held off from concluding any further transfers, meaning his injury-hit, confidence-shot squad will be asked to dig deep for the second half of a Premier League campaign that sees them 10 points adrift of the top four.
READ MORE: Liverpool set to axe two players from squad as Luis Diaz 'update' expected
READ MORE: Chelsea take seven months to match what Liverpool and FSG did in three years
It means Klopp's task of restoring the Reds back into the top four just got a whole lot more difficult. A 10-game unbeaten run towards the back end of the 2020/21 campaign was needed to sneak into third place on the final day nearly two years ago and a similar run may very well be needed once more.
Liverpool's problem, though, is they don't currently look like a team capable of doing that given they are without a Premier League win since late December when Wout Faes's almost comical own goals helped them past Leicester at Anfield. Just seven points from the last 15 available following the restart of domestic action has left hopes of next season's Champions League hanging perilously.
The decision to keep their powder dry leaves them edging towards the summer on the tightrope and anything less than a significant rebuild of the midfield area later this year will not be tolerated from a fanbase whose general agitation has grown in recent weeks.
Here, the ECHO takes a look at the winners and losers within the Liverpool squad after the close of the January transfer window.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Why Liverpool can't sign Isco or any other free agent
Cody Gakpo remained Liverpool’s only mid-season signing when the transfer window closed on Tuesday night, as Jurgen Klopp had repeatedly insisted would be the case throughout January.
As a result, the out-of-form Reds will have to continue with what they’ve already got at their disposal as they look to rescue their season. Out of both domestic cups, facing European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 later this month and down in ninth in the Premier League, 10 points off the top four, such a prospect is easier said than done.
Having spent the past 12 months overhauling their attack, a midfield revamp was always plotted for 2023. However, such plans remain on hold until the summer. Given Liverpool’s woes in their engine-room this season, such a stance has inevitably frustrated their fanbase.
The Reds actually boast 11 senior midfielders following Stefan Bajcetic’s emergence in recent weeks, with Juventus loanee Arthur Melo currently the only one of them out injured. Yet what Liverpool boast in quantity, they are lacking somewhat in quality with the majority of Klopp’s options either past their best, out-of-contract next summer, or injury-prone.
As a result, some supporters have taken to the free agents list in desperation, hoping to find an out-of-contract solution to the Reds’ midfield struggles who could come straight into the Liverpool side now despite the transfer window now being closed. One name on lips is former Real Madrid playmaker Isco after the 30-year-old saw a move to Union Berlin fall through on deadline day, having cancelled his contract with Sevilla last month.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
READ NEXT:
- Inside story of Liverpool transfer window as 'blocked' deal sums up curious January
Real Madrid dealt another injury blow ahead of Liverpool Champions League clash
- Liverpool face new competition for Jude Bellingham after Enzo Fernandez transfer warning
- Roberto Firmino's agent breaks silence on Liverpool contract talks
- January transfer reality has left Liverpool and FSG with no other option
