Liverpool’s preparations for the first leg of its Carabao Cup semi-final with Fulham have been disrupted by news of an injury for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Assistant manager Pep Lijnders revealed in the pre-match press conference that the England international should only be out of action for a few weeks, which is at least a shred of comfort to supporters everywhere.
But it leaves the club desperately short of senior full-backs, with Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas on the sidelines. The Reds will reach February having only started their first choice back four twice this season, regardless of whether you favor Ibrahima Konaté or Joël Matip alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the defense.
Many supporters will be hoping the club signs a new defender this month, even if the emergence of Jarell Quansah has eased the need for a center-back to some extent. Conor Bradley’s impressive cameo at Arsenal offered encouragement that Liverpool has decent options at full-back too.
Whatever the club is planning, there are certain to be rumors galore across the rest of January. With that in mind, here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah’s future is always at the forefront of the minds of Liverpool fans. He has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for some time, but is that less likely to occur now the likes of Jordan Henderson are reportedly looking to leave so swiftly after moving there?
Journalist David Lynch has been considering the options for both Salah and Liverpool for This Is Anfield. “Enough has changed to suggest that Salah’s proposed summer switch to the Saudi Pro League could be at risk,” he wrote., dubbing the move ‘less certain’ than it once looked.
Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting CP)
In respect of incoming options, Liverpool is being linked with not one but two Sporting CP players. Neither are called Gonçalo Inácio, a defender who has already done the rounds on the Reds’ rumor roundabout.
According to HITC, Liverpool had representatives at Sporting’s recent 5-1 win over Estoril to scour both Pedro Gonçalves and Morten Hjulmand. The former has predominantly played on the left of the front three while the latter is a holding midfielder.
