I know some Liverpool supporters will be disappointed to hear this, but I’m not surprised by the latest transfer update.
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, Liverpool are expecting a relatively quiet January transfer window under Andoni Iraola.
The thinking is that the squad should be in a much healthier position by then, with Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley progressing towards returns from their long-term injuries.
Giovanni Leoni’s recovery is taking longer than originally hoped, however, so his return should not be treated as guaranteed for January. Iraola recently explained that the defender’s knee injury was more complicated than an ACL tear alone, and Liverpool are taking a careful approach.
But there is an important part of Pearce’s report that I think supporters should pay attention to.
Liverpool will still be ready to act if an unexpected opportunity presents itself.
And we have already seen exactly what that can look like.
Liverpool aren’t planning to spend for the sake of it
I can understand the thinking behind a quiet January.
Liverpool spent heavily in the summer, bringing in major attacking reinforcements and strengthening other areas of the squad.
The priority now should be getting those players settled, finding consistency under Iraola and making sure the team starts getting more from the talent already at Anfield.
There is little point signing another player simply because the transfer window is open.
January can be a difficult time to find value. Clubs are often reluctant to sell important players halfway through a season, and prices can rise when selling teams know a buyer is desperate.
If Liverpool believe their squad will be stronger once the injured players return, it makes sense to assess the situation before committing more money.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t positions that could be improved.
It simply means Liverpool may not believe they need to force a deal.
And, for me, that is a sensible distinction.
But remember what happened with Luis Díaz
This is the part of the report that caught my attention.
Pearce points to January 2022, when Julian Ward moved quickly to secure Luis Díaz from Porto after Liverpool had initially considered signing the Colombian the following summer.
Tottenham were also interested, but Liverpool acted when an opportunity emerged.
Porto needed the money, the circumstances changed and Liverpool were able to bring forward a deal they had already been considering.
Díaz arrived at Anfield and quickly became an important part of Jürgen Klopp’s team.
That is the sort of situation Liverpool will want to remain prepared for.
They might not enter January with a long list of players they are determined to sign. But if an ideal target suddenly becomes available at the right price, they don’t want to be caught unprepared.
A quiet transfer window and a passive transfer window are two very different things.
Liverpool can plan to do very little while still being ready to move quickly if the circumstances are right.
The returning players could make a real difference
Ekitike’s return would be particularly welcome.
Liverpool have invested heavily in their attack, but injuries have made it difficult for Iraola to work with his preferred options consistently.
Having Ekitike available again would give the manager another forward to work with and help ease the pressure on the players currently carrying the attacking responsibility.
Bradley would also be a major boost.
Liverpool have had to think carefully about their defensive options, and having a natural right-back available again would give Iraola more flexibility.
Leoni is another player worth watching, although his recovery needs to be handled carefully. Nobody benefits from rushing a young defender back before he is ready.
The important thing is that Liverpool’s squad could look very different by the time January arrives.
If those returning players are fit and performing well, the club may feel there is no urgent need to recruit.
But if injuries continue, or the team exposes a weakness that needs addressing, the plan could change.
I still think Liverpool need to be ready
Here is where I would be slightly cautious about assuming January will definitely be quiet.
We have seen how quickly football plans can change.
One injury can leave a position looking short of options. One unexpected transfer opportunity can change the recruitment picture. And sometimes a player Liverpool expected to be available simply isn’t ready when the club needs him.
That is why I like the idea of being prepared without feeling obliged to spend.
If Liverpool identify a player who genuinely improves the team, they should be willing to move.
But I wouldn’t want to see them spend £40m or £50m on somebody who isn’t the right fit simply because supporters are demanding a signing.
We’ve seen enough transfer windows to know that the right signing matters far more than the number of signings.
The door is still open
For now, the message from Pearce is fairly straightforward.
Liverpool expect January to be quiet, with returning players potentially strengthening the squad from within. But they will remain alert to opportunities that could improve Iraola’s options.
I don’t think supporters should interpret that as a promise that nobody will arrive.
And I certainly wouldn’t rule out another Luis Díaz-style opportunity if the right circumstances develop.
Liverpool have already shown they can move quickly when they believe a deal makes sense.
Now the challenge is getting through the next few months, seeing how the squad develops under Iraola and working out where genuine reinforcements might be needed.
I’m not desperate for Liverpool to sign somebody just to make January exciting.
I want them to get the best out of the players they already have, welcome the injured players back when they are ready and keep their options open.
If the perfect opportunity comes along, then go for it.
But if it doesn’t, there is no point forcing a deal.
A quiet January might be exactly what Liverpool need.
Unless, of course, another Luis Díaz opportunity suddenly appears.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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