January, Injuries and That Familiar Wait

By the time you’re staring at the calendar on 26 January, you’re not really asking for miracles. You’re asking for the obvious. And right now the obvious is that Liverpool need defensive reinforcements, because the season has already shown how quickly things can unravel when injuries bite and options run thin.

I went into this window thinking the club had a clear plan. We didn’t land Guehi in August, fair enough, but it felt like one of those situations where the thinking was: hold your nerve, revisit it in January, and make sure at least one proper centre-back comes in. Maybe even two, given how brutal the schedule is and how little margin you get when you’re fighting on multiple fronts.

When injuries meet a thin squad

The injury hits have been a big part of the story. It’s not even about excuses, it’s just reality. You can build a strong first XI, but if you’re light in key areas you’re always one awkward landing or one tight hamstring away from chaos.

That’s why I’m reluctant to write players off too quickly. Take Isak. He might end up not being the answer, but it’s hard to judge properly when he’s never really had a clean run to get going. Footballers need rhythm. Strikers especially.

Champions League signings need a platform

I’ve looked at the likes of Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike and thought: these are aimed at the big nights. The Champions League is where quality and detail matter, where one moment of creativity or one clever run changes the tie. If you can get into the two-legged rounds with a fit Isak as an option and Wirtz adding craft, that’s a different conversation.

But there’s a catch. You don’t get to those nights in the right shape if the league form is wobbling and you’re patching up the back line every other week. That’s why the defensive side matters even when you’re talking about attacking signings.

Top four can’t be the ceiling

Szoboszlai has been a standout this season and, honestly, he’s the one I’m desperate to keep wrapped in cotton wool. Salah, on the other hand, hasn’t really got going. That’s not a panic button, but it does underline the point: if we’re serious, we should be looking at additions that complement what we’ve already got, not just hoping everyone clicks at once.

And this is where the frustration creeps in. Sometimes it genuinely feels like supporters care more about pushing Liverpool to be the best it can be than the people running the finances. I get it, they’re a business. But “scrape top four and bank the Champions League revenue” is a mentality that haunted Arsenal for years, and it shouldn’t be Liverpool’s ambition.

FSG have done plenty right, but January reluctance has been a theme at times. I just want us to take opportunities when they’re there, because silverware doesn’t wait for anyone. Back the manager, back the squad, fix what’s obvious. We’re still in the FA Cup and the Champions League can still give you magic, but we’ve got to help ourselves too. Fingers crossed there’s something positive before the window shuts. Either way, we crack on.

Written by King: 26 January 2026