Image Credits: Imago Images
With the January transfer window just around the corner, it will be interesting to see if the club deems it necessary to dip their hand into the market.
The absence of Giovanni Leoni, who suffered a devastating ACL tear on his debut against Southampton, has left the Reds with a depleted backline requiring urgent reinforcement.
The young Italian is now sidelined for a full year after undergoing surgery, leaving Arne Slot with just three senior centre-back options in van Dijk, Konate, and Gomez.
Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window compounds the problem, making the January market a potential lifeline.
According to recent reports, the club remains actively engaged in identifying defensive targets, with Joel Ordóñez from Club Brugge a name the club are reportedly looking at.
But it seems there could potentially be winter exits as well.
Fabrizio Romano, speaking on the Here We Go podcast, has cast doubt on Federico Chiesa’s future at the club – and asserts that the Italian could leave in January should he not receive enough game-time in the next months:
“It’s been a strange start to the season for Chiesa, also because at the very beginning of the summer window, the plan was to leave, and then everything changed several times with Arne Slot and with the management.”
“The desire of Federico Chiesa is to finish the season at Liverpool and then assess the situation in the summer.”
“When Chiesa goes public and says ‘I want to stay here, I want to compete for my spot’, it’s the reality. Chiesa wants to continue with Liverpool.”
“Then, obviously, he wants to play – he needs to play – otherwise in January I would not be surprised if Italian clubs return to the table and try again to get Chiesa from Liverpool.”
“They might try. But at the moment, the desire of Liverpool and Chiesa is to continue together.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be an easy move in January, but interest remains and we have to follow the game time in the next two months.”
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