Liverpool news: First January transfer agreed as ‘sensational’ alternative gets approval

Liverpool are already making moves in the January transfer window with one arrival agreed and another under consideration for the Premier League champions

Liverpool are hoping to kick off 2026 on a high note with a victory over Leeds United, while the January transfer window promises to bring opportunities for manager Arne Slot.

Slot’s team has chalked up three back-to-back league wins, having triumphed over Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves last month, despite ongoing defensive issues. However, the focus will undoubtedly be on Liverpool’s transfer dealings this month. The absence of attacking options due to Mohamed Salah’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak’s long-term injury has amplified calls for Slot to strengthen his forward line.

Injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have also left Liverpool lacking in defence. With the club’s first significant January decision made and a potential target given the green light, here’s all the latest news from Anfield.

January transfer decision confirmed

Liverpool are set to welcome midfielder James McConnell back to Anfield this month.

The 21-year-old’s loan spell at Ajax has been cut short, reports the Mirror. McConnell has struggled to make his mark in the Eredivisie, having only started two matches during his temporary tenure.

He initially moved to Ajax at the end of August after John Heitinga departed Anfield, where he was Arne Slot’s assistant, to take up the head coach position at the Dutch heavyweights.

Heitinga was subsequently sacked from his role as Ajax manager at the start of November. According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, McConnell will now head back to Liverpool.

The report detailed how Ajax had planned to bring in a seasoned player for defensive midfield before McConnell’s arrival but were unable to complete such a signing.

Choosing to plug the gap with a temporary solution turned out to be an error.

Guehi alternative receives endorsement

The Reds could be searching for an alternative to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi this month.

The England centre-half was on the brink of joining Liverpool in September, only for the transfer and his dream move to the Premier League champions to collapse at the last moment.

According to the Daily Mail, fellow Eagles defender Maxence Lacroix has been viewed as a possibility by the Reds. Two former Liverpool defenders, Jamie Carragher and Stephen Warnock, have revealed they are huge admirers of the Frenchman.

“It was a tussle between Guehi and Lacroix, really,” Carragher said when discussing his team of the season so far. “I’m really impressed with Crystal Palace. But I went for Guehi, he’s got a few more goals as well.”

Warnock told Aceodds: “I think Marc Guehi would be a really good replacement. What you get from him is leadership and a player who has played on an international level.

“He has constantly been an outstanding player for England whenever he has been called up. He is very comfortable on the ball. He is not the tallest, but he uses his physicality to outweigh the lack of height. The way he reads the game is outstanding.

“I actually like Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace as well. I think he is a sensational player. What he has is an immense pace, and what that allows you to do is to go man for man with Virgil van Dijk and Lacroix at the back. He has the physicality as well.

“I think if they were to sign either Guehi or Lacroix, they would be very happy with either choice. They are both brilliant defenders.”

Currently, Liverpool are in dire need of bolstering their defence. Ibrahima Konate’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Van Dijk, 34, only has another year left on his contract. Gomez is currently receiving treatment, while Leoni is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season.