Liverpool Urged to Make Another Signing in January after £35m Deal Collapsed

Liverpool’s bright start to the Premier League season under Arne Slot has been nothing short of impressive. Five wins from five, a five-point lead at the summit and the air of champions defending their crown with conviction. Yet even in this perfect start, there is a cloud hanging over Anfield’s title defence: the injury to Giovanni Leoni and the club’s approach to replacing him.

Credit must go to David Lynch, who offered his insight during a conversation with Dave Davis for Anfield Index. His analysis highlights both the gravity of Leoni’s injury and the difficult choices Liverpool now face in the transfer market.

Giovanni Leoni’s debut in the 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton gave Liverpool fans reason to be excited. Despite the intensity of Southampton’s press, the young defender displayed maturity and composure well beyond his years.

Lynch’s praise was unequivocal:

“I thought Leoni was magnificent. He could’ve easily struggled in that situation with how Southampton were pressing but he actually looked the most composed.”

“He completed 97% of his passes and he tried some difficult ones too.”

“He didn’t look flustered at any point or that the physicality or the pace was getting to him. He just looked like he had been doing it for years.”

His final words captured the heartbreak:

“He looks so, so promising. But as soon as he went down, you knew it was serious and it’s a real, real shame.”

That “real shame” resonates not only because Liverpool have lost a talented young centre-back, but also because the injury leaves the squad dangerously short in a key area.

With Leoni sidelined by an ACL injury, Liverpool now rely solely on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as their senior central defenders. That is a risk, especially with the season still in its infancy and the club competing on multiple fronts.

Lynch summed up the concern clearly:

“Liverpool are now less deep at centre-back now too, so it’s devastating for both the player and the club.”

“I think Liverpool should sign in January. There are situations where you might not have to replace them, but I don’t think this is one of them.”

He also pointed to the injury histories of the remaining defenders:

“You worry about Joe Gomez’ fitness and Ibou Konate can get injuries.”

These comments underline the urgency of the situation. Liverpool’s early-season form cannot mask the thinness of their defensive options, and any further setback could derail their title defence.

Liverpool’s summer pursuit of Marc Guehi appeared to be a smart long-term investment, but the £35 million move fell apart on deadline day. The expectation now is that the club will wait until next summer to revisit the deal when his contract at Selhurst Park expires.

Lynch warned that the club’s desire to secure Guehi in the summer could lead to inaction in January:

“My only worry is that Liverpool will happily not do it. They do that all of the time. And I also worry that they might think that a January move would prevent them from getting Marc Guehi in the summer.”

This hesitation could prove costly. With a title to defend and Champions League football on the horizon, prioritising a future deal over an immediate solution might be a gamble Liverpool cannot afford.

Arne Slot’s first season could hardly have started better, yet this defensive crisis presents him with a serious test of management and squad depth. The Dutchman’s tactical acumen and the team’s early momentum offer hope, but football seasons are often defined by how clubs respond to adversity.

Liverpool’s hierarchy must weigh the risks carefully. Reinforcing in January could safeguard their push for consecutive titles, while waiting for Guehi may leave them exposed if injuries strike again.

In the words of David Lynch, it feels “so early in the season so I do think it would be wise to get something going there.” Few would disagree.