Liverpool are approaching the winter transfer window from a position of strength. They sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League table and are not in desperate need of players. The club are only willing to act if a top target becomes available. However, the Reds are expected to bid goodbye to a few players on both permanent and loan deals to trim the fat from their squad.
While fans can clamour for new signings as the remedy for all ills, the club hierarchy have to remain mindful of the overall health of the squad and the need to trim the extra fat. It is almost a certainty that more players will leave Liverpool than arrive in the winter transfer window.
Liverpool will be looking to move on a few as certain players are not part of Arne Slot’s long-term players and the club will need to make space in their squad for future arrivals. The club will also look to entertain loan offers for certain fringe and young players in the winter transfer window.
Richard Hughes and his team of advisers have their work cut out as the club approach the winter window as they look to strike a balance between selling players and maintaining the overall balance of the Reds squad.
Here are five players who could be moved on from the Merseyside giants in the winter window
Wataru Endo
The Japanese midfielder has made just two starts and both came in the EFL Cup this season. He is way down the pecking orders of midfielders and it is clear that Arne Slot doesn’t rate him enough to give him a run in the team going forward. There is almost a certainty that the midfielder will move on from Anfield in the winter transfer window.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Endo is still rated by clubs in the Premier League and Ipswich Town and Wolves are believed to be interested in getting a deal done to sign him in January. Liverpool sense an opportunity to earn a good fee from his sale and are likely to demand somewhere around £20m from his sale.
Federico Chiesa
It would be an embarrassment for Liverpool if the only player they signed last summer left the club in January but that is a distinct possibility. The Italy winger has just not been fit enough to become a key part of the team. He has played just 78 minutes of football since joining the club and has been on the sidelines since before the October international break.
Liverpool have swatted aside talk of the club being ready to loan him out and the club want to keep Chiesa. However, Arne Slot has not been convinced by his fitness and has expressed his worries publicly. If the winger doesn’t get enough opportunities from now until the end of December, the rumours of a January departure won’t go away. Inter Milan are amongst the Serie A clubs who are considering signing him on loan in the winter window.
Tyler Morton
The 22-year-old midfielder is rated highly at Liverpool but he is struggling to get game time this season. He has made just two senior appearances this season and both came in the EFL Cup. He has been consistently making the bench but is not getting the chance to get more first-team minutes.
There is an understanding at Anfield that Morton needs a loan move away from the club in January to aid his development. Several clubs in the Championship are interested in him but Leeds United are said to be pushing the most to sign Morton. A move to a promotion-chasing side could be exactly what he needs in the latter half of the season.
Joe Gomez
The 27-year-old centre-back looks lost at Liverpool at the moment. He has fallen down the pecking order of defenders and has started just two games this season, which came in the EFL Cup. He has made five substitute appearances in the Premier League and the Champions League and is struggling to get minutes.
Gomez is expected to leave Liverpool in the summer with several clubs in the Premier League interested. However, the lack of game time might just see the defender demanding a move in the winter window. If his suitors show concrete interest in him in January, he could agitate for a transfer as he is likely to want to play more football.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool continue to negotiate a new contract with the right-back and are pushing to convince him to commit his future to the Merseyside giants. Real Madrid are also not expecting the defender to become available in the winter window but there is always a small chance something could happen in January.
Let’s assume, Liverpool are no closer to an agreement over a new deal with Alexander-Arnold and it’s the last week of the January transfer window. Would it be inconceivable if Real Madrid decided to make a considerable offer, the Reds would not be tempted to cash in? The defender could walk away for free in the summer and it could be a good opportunity for Liverpool to earn a fee from his departure. It would make business sense to at least consider the bid.
