Liverpool are facing yet another striking conundrum. Already without Mohamed Salah due to the Africa Cup of Nations - and Cody Gakpo owing to an injury - the Reds got the worst possible news about Ale...
Liverpool are facing yet another striking conundrum.
Already without Mohamed Salah due to the Africa Cup of Nations - and Cody Gakpo owing to an injury - the Reds got the worst possible news about Alexander Isak following last weekend’s win against Tottenham.
In the process of scoring his goal, the 26-year-old suffered a devastating lower leg injury - including a broken fibula. The timeline around his recovery is uncertain - but Liverpool are once again light up top with only Hugo Ekitike now available as a senior option.
Isak will come back - hopefully soon - and so it’s unlikely Liverpool will break the bank for a replacement in January. But who’s out there if Liverpool want an emergency solution?
Here we run through some players who may be able to come in and give the Reds a mid-season boost - even if they don’t end up sticking around for long.
Joshua Zirkzee - Manchester United
Never a prolific goalscorer, the Dutchman has demonstrated better form previously in his career than he’s shown so far at Old Trafford.
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And consider the likes of Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay to name just a few who have excelled away from Man Utd.
Zirkzee, 24, could provide a central focal point to the Liverpool attack - the kind of centre-forward profile they don’t really have in the squad right now.
The ex-Bayern Munich striker would have plenty of allies in the dressing room too - having been with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch at international level for the Netherlands.
United would reportedly let him go for a loan fee in January - so long as an obligation to buy can be inserted into the deal.
Liverpool would do well to steer clear over any kind of obligation to buy - unless of course Zirkzee can prove his worth for them in the second half of the season.
Evan Ferguson - Roma
Zirkzee has been linked with Roma - precisely because the Italian capital side’s head coach Gian Piero Gasperini doesn’t appear to fancy Evan Ferguson.
It has been suggested that the Irishman could be sent back to Brighton during the transfer window and the Seagulls would surely need to sort the 21-year-old out with another loan deal.
Ferguson has been stuck in a rut for quite some time in his club career - but there is undoubtedly a player of considerable potential in there.
He demonstrated in FIFA World Cup qualification that he’s still got a goal in him - and he has netted three times so far in a Roma side that doesn’t appear to suit his game.
Once a hot commodity in the transfer market - Ferguson has previously been linked with all the big boys. A six-month loan spell at Liverpool could be just the ticket to get back on track.
Serge Gnabry - Bayern Munich
Although not a natural centre-forward the Germany international could no doubt provide additional solutions to Liverpool’s attacking problems.
The 30-year-old has been back to something like his best in recent weeks for Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich. Indeed it’s been claimed that he is finally approaching a contract renewal with FC Hollywood - albeit on a drastic pay cut.
Gnabry is out of contract in summer 2026 and if no new deal looks possible then the German record champions may cut their losses. Liverpool have been linked before - with club recruiters reportedly valuing Gnabry’s profile.
This could be an ideal signing - if Liverpool were prepared to satisfy the transfer fee and wage demands required.
Memphis - Corinthians
Now firmly established as a cult hero in Brazil with Corinthians, the 31-year-old Dutchman scored the winning goal in the Copa do Brasil over the weekend.
But his move to the Sao Paulo-based outfit hasn’t been without its problems and he could seek a return to Europe now the season there is over.
Memphis has got international ambitions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he is seeking to be the main man up front for the Netherlands.
His contract at Corinthians expires in 2026 and a move back to the Old Continent wouldn’t break the bank. Memphis has got plenty of experience at big clubs - having represented the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid already in his career.
Ivan Toney - Al-Ahli
This one is very much in the “unlikely” category owing to the amount of money the England international would be giving up if he left Al-Ahli before the end of his contract.
On a reported £400k per week, Toney wouldn’t be making anything like that money back in in the Premier League but the 29-year-old could be tempted home with the prospect of an England World Cup squad place.
A proven Premier League goalscorer with Brentford, Toney was also reported to be a Liverpool fan as a kid. It could be now or never if he wants to pull on that famous red shirt before he retires.
Christopher Nkunku - AC Milan
The Frenchman was considered a big favourite at Liverpool before swapping RB Leipzig for Chelsea back in 2023. Since then it’s fair to say the 28-year-old’s career has hit the skids.
Injuries blighted his time at Stamford Bridge - only managing six goals in the Premier League across two seasons. And his move to AC Milan last summer - considered in some quarters a masterstroke - has failed entirely.
The Rossoneri want to offload him in January having signed Niclas Fullkrug on loan.
Category: General Sports
