Liverpool finds itself in the rare position of having a free week on its hands, although that won’t stop a lot of the talk surrounding the club at the moment.

Mohamed Salah continues to dominate the headlines, with the winger making his way to the Africa Cup of Nations after returning to the Reds’ squad against Brighton at the weekend. Despite successful showdown talks with Arne Slot on Friday though, his future isn’t yet decided after his outburst against the club.

Discussions will continue between his representatives and Liverpool to find a solution, but the Reds may well have to start looking at potential replacements - one such name features in the latest round of rumors.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)

Liverpool holds a “genuine interest” in Antoine Semenyo, but faces a battle to sign the Bournemouth winger with other clubs keen on him, Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport.

Speculation has been growing over Semenyo’s future recently, and it does seem likely that he could be on the move at some point over the next couple of transfer windows.

The Reds are being strongly linked, with the Ghana international seen as a potential replacement for Salah. According to TeamTalk though, Manchester City is the frontrunner to sign him, while Tottenham is said to be prepared to “smash” its wage structure for him.

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Liverpool.com says: Although he's not producing the sort of numbers he was at the start of the season, Semenyo should be a player that Liverpool is keeping a close eye on - if nothing else, just so there's a plan in place should Salah want to leave next month.

Whether the club sees Semenyo as an ideal replacement for Salah is the obvious question, with the main worry being whether he will be able to step up to the demands of a club like Liverpool. That's a call that may have to be made sooner rather than later.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Liverpool is among a host of big clubs showing interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, although the England international won’t come cheaply according to The Guardian.

As well as the Reds, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all said to be keen. Wharton has no release clause in his contract, with Palace said to value him at more than £80 million ($107M).

Liverpool has been linked with a move for Adam Wharton (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It’s suggested that a January move might be out of the question with Palace still in four competitions at the moment, and riding high in the Premier League.

Liverpool.com says: Wharton will surely get a big move soon, it's just a question of where he goes, and how much will a club have to pay for his services. As Liverpool knows all too well now, dealing with Palace can be tricky, especially with Oliver Glasner clearly keen on keeping his best players.

A new midfielder doesn't feel like a priority for Liverpool when compared to a center-back or a new winger, so if there's going to be a race for Wharton next summer, don't be surprised to see the Reds taking a back seat in it.

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The second part of John Aldridge's ECHO column assesses what might happen next with Mohamed Salah's future

The second part of John Aldridge's ECHO column assesses what might happen next with Mohamed Salah's future

Micah Richards has revealed how he spoke to Thierry Henry after Hugo Ekitike signed for Liverpool in the summer, and the Arsenal legend warned against expecting too much from the young Frenchman during his first season in England.

Although Liverpool committed over $100 million to signing Ekitike, he was an unknown quantity to many when he made the move to Anfield in the summer transfer window.

Ekitike had a good season with Frankfurt in the Bundesliga last season – scoring 22 goals in 48 games – but Henry was not sure at the time of the move to Liverpool whether his compatriot was ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

"When Liverpool got Ekitike in, I was convinced it meant that Isak was no longer happening," Richards said. "Then when it came back to the table, everyone thought Isak was the final piece as a tried and tested striker.

"I spoke to Thierry Henry, who knows him very well. He said, 'He is going to be a very good player, but we have to see if he is ready for the Premier League'. It was a little bit of a gamble.

"We knew what we were going to get from Isak. It seemed like Liverpool only went for Ekitike at the time, because they didn't think they would get Isak."

Ekitike has been by far the most impressive of Liverpool's many summer signings, and scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season in all competitions in the 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday.

Gary Lineker, who was speaking with Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, is a big fan of the 23-year-old.

Thierry Henry wasn't sure whether Ekitike was ready to make the step up (Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)

"Ekitike has got it all," Lineker said. "He can beat players, he is seriously quick, fantastic in the air. His movement is exceptional. He looks like a huge talent to me."

After netting his brace against Brighton, Ekitike said there was still room for improvement. "I wouldn't say it was perfect because I know I could score way more today," He said. "The most important was to win in front of our fans. It was a good day at work."

Ekitike added, "That was really important. We had a great game in the Champions League [against Inter Milan]. Last game in the Premier League against Leeds was difficult. We came back to Liverpool with the draw so today it was important to win and maybe restart something. I am happy today."

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Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden says Arne Slot's status as a Premier League champion should afford him the time to turn things around at Anfield

Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden says Arne Slot's status as a Premier League champion should afford him the time to turn things around at Anfield

Jamie Carragher has come in for a hammering from former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel over his remarks surrounding the Mohamed Salah situation over the last week or so.

Carragher was outspoken in his criticism of Salah following the Egyptian's controversial comments in the Elland Road mixed zone at the start of the month.

In a memorable tirade on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football two days after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds, Carragher accused Salah of speaking out to "cause maximum damage" while also saying that Salah arrived at Liverpool "known as the man who failed at Chelsea."

Carragher's comments have drawn fierce criticism from former Chelsea player Mikel, who said: "We are talking about Liverpool here, we are talking about the Premier League, and you have somebody sat there in the studio, criticizing Mo Salah, and saying Mo Salah has never won the Africa Cup of Nations — that's a failure, criticizing him.

"He's qualified for two World Cups, but he hasn't won the Africa Cup of Nations. What's that got to do with the Premier League? What's that got to do with what we're talking about?

"For some reason, why do you talk about Mo Salah being a failure at Chelsea? People fail – it's about how you get the f--- up.

"Look what he's done since he failed at Chelsea. You learn more from failure, you get better from failure.. It's how you get up when you fall, when you're down there, and Mo Salah did that after Chelsea. He got up, he became stronger and became a better player.

John Obi Mikel slammed Carragher (Image: 2024 FIFA)

"For somebody to criticize a young player at his early stages, to call that a failure – and that's just coming from somebody that never won anything near what Mo Salah won.

"[Carragher] did not win the Premier League, did not win anything with his national team – abandoned his national team, honestly, because he wasn't playing, and yet you are the player that is criticizing somebody for speaking out that he wants to play, but you retired because you were not playing. You quit because you were not playing.

"Mo Salah does not want to quit when it's tough, when it's difficult, he wants to be there and get the team out of this sticky patch, help the team, get the team back to where it belongs. That's what you call a true leader, a true champion. Do I condone what Salah did? Not all of it. But has he earned the right to say I want to play football? Yes."

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Big money signings always come with big scrutiny, especially at a club that has just won the Premier League under a new manager. Arne Slot’s debut title season raised standards across the squad, and any player arriving for £125m was never going to be judged gently. That is the backdrop to the growing conversation around Alexander Isak, a conversation sharpened by comments from Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Fan Focus podcast.

Since his deadline day arrival, Isak’s return of two goals and one assist across all competitions tells its own story. Fitness issues have disrupted rhythm, while Liverpool’s attacking structure has evolved rapidly around him. That combination has created uncertainty, and in a title winning side, uncertainty rarely lasts long.

Dave Davis on selection and current pecking order

Dave Davis was direct in his assessment of where Isak stands right now. As he put it, “In Liverpool’s strongest lineup right now, I don’t care what anyone says, Alexander Isak isn’t there.” That line cuts to the core of the issue. Liverpool are no longer searching for a functioning system, they have one, and selection is ruthless.

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Davis went further by underlining who has seized the opportunity instead. “Hugo Ekitike has to be the first attacking name on the teamsheet.” The contrast between the two forwards is stark. Ekitike, signed for £69m, already has ten goals across all competitions. He looks sharp, physically ready, and tactically aligned with Slot’s demands. In elite football, form quickly becomes currency.

Fit within Slot’s attacking structure

There is nuance here, and Davis acknowledged it. “We haven’t been playing to Isak’s strengths but his performances haven’t been great.” Slot’s Liverpool relies on relentless tempo, aggressive pressing, and explosive transitions. That demands sharp movement and physical readiness, especially from the central striker.

One moment in the 2-0 win over Brighton summed it up memorably. “There’s one moment on Saturday where Liverpool are on the break and he is overtook by Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk!” It was an image that travelled fast among supporters, not because of mockery, but because it highlighted a deeper concern around sharpness and confidence.

Pressure, AFCON and minutes ahead

Importantly, the criticism has not been framed as personal. “This isn’t about banging on Alexander Isak, but it’s about objectively saying that we spent £125m on a striker that isn’t doing the business and isn’t fit.” Objectivity matters, especially when context looms large.

That context includes Mohamed Salah heading off to AFCON. As Davis noted, “We need him now more than ever with Mohamed Salah heading off to AFCON.” Opportunities will come, partly because of squad needs, and partly because Slot has limited alternatives. “We know that Arne Slot doesn’t fancy Federico Chiesa, so Isak is going to get minutes and he needs to perform because there is a few red flags creeping in now.”

For Isak, the next stretch feels defining. Liverpool are stable, successful, and demanding. That leaves little room for grace periods. The quality is there, but at a club moving this fast, potential must quickly turn into impact.

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Jamie Carragher doesn't see Mohamed Salah playing for Liverpool next season but thinks the forward should delay any immediate thoughts about quitting the club in January to secure a fitting Anfield send-off at the end of the season.

Salah appeared to be emotional during what looked like a lap of appreciation after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton at Anfield as he prepares to go off and represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 33-year-old started on the bench against Brighton but was introduced as a first-half and provided an assist for Hugo Ekitike. It took his tally for goal involvements up to 277 for the Reds in the Premier League, which is more than any other player has managed for a single club.

It remains to be seen whether that is his last contribution for Liverpool but Carragher, who strongly criticised the forward for his claim last week that he had been "thrown under a bus" by manager Arne Slot, urged Salah to put his differences with Slot aside and return from the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of January to preserve his legacy and get the send-off he deserves.

'I don't see Salah playing for Liverpool next season'

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s win against Brighton in the Premier League.

"I don't see Salah playing for Liverpool next season," Carragher told Monday Night Football.

"The big thing in my mind is whether we are going to see him from now until the end of the season.

"We know he is now going to AFCON and that will finish in mid-January.

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Mohamed Salah returns to play for Liverpool against Brighton.

"It's obvious he's got an issue with Arne Slot, and I want to give credit to the manager because he could have easily have said Salah is not involved against Brighton. He could have said, 'we'll sort it after AFCON'.

"But no, he thought it was bigger than him and it was about the team and it is more important that Salah was on the bench, and he made a contribution.

"Last week I was giving advice to Salah and his agent and I'm going to do it again because what we saw at the end of the game from Salah was a lap of appreciation. He was a bit emotional and he's probably not sure whether that's his last time at Anfield.

History-maker Salah!

Mohamed Salah has 277 goal involvements for Liverpool in the Premier League (188 goals, 89 assists) – now the all-time record by a player for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney's 276 for Manchester United (183 goals, 93 assists).

"If he's thinking about moving on I'd urge him to think again because if he was to move on now, the talk is he'd go to the Saudi League, which is talked about over there but nowhere else, except when the transfer window is open.

"Salah is not going to move on from Liverpool and join Real Madrid or Barcelona. It's the Saudi League.

"Liverpool in the second half of the season, they could get to an FA Cup final or a Champions League final. Could you imagine Salah in Saudi at whatever team he is playing for, watching Liverpool come out in Budapest in a Champions League final?"

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reveals to the media after their 2-0 win at home to Brighton that he has told Mohamed Salah he wants him to stay. 'He'd regret leaving in January'

Carragher continued: "When you come back at the end of January, you'll have three months. You might not get on with the manager but you'll start some games. You'll be sub in some games and you won't come on in some games, but what we saw at Anfield at the weekend was nicer than what we saw at Elland Road.

"Does Salah deserve more than that as a Liverpool player? He deserves a guard of honour, he deserves a display in the Kop and he deserves to be able to bring his family onto the pitch. He deserves to be celebrated at his final game for all he's done as a Liverpool player.

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Sunday Supplement takes a look at the back pages and the fallout from Mohamed Salah's return to the Liverpool team that beat Brighton at Anfield and asks - has he played his last game for the club?

"Put your differences with the manager to the side and think three or four months at Liverpool. The worst thing that is going to happen is he gets a big send-off. The best thing that could happen is he's walking out with his team-mates in Budapest in a Champions League final.

"If he's sat in Saudi Arabia watching Liverpool do that, he'd really regret it."

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Liverpool’s title winning debut season under Arne Slot has already produced plenty of talking points, yet the narrative around the forward line continues to evolve. Much of the summer focus centred on the record breaking £125m arrival of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, a signing that naturally dominated headlines. Quietly, though, Hugo Ekitike has begun carving out his own importance within Slot’s squad, delivering early evidence that Liverpool’s attacking depth may be one of their defining strengths this season.

Early impact despite crowded headlines

Ekitike’s £69m move from Eintracht Frankfurt arrived with intrigue rather than fanfare. Overshadowed by Isak’s deadline day drama, the Frenchman initially operated without the weight of expectation that often accompanies big money transfers. That has worked to Liverpool’s advantage.

Across all competitions, Ekitike has already scored ten goals, seven of them in the Premier League. Those numbers alone place him firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s most efficient new attackers. More telling, however, is the timing of his goals. Since being restored to the starting eleven, he has struck twice against Leeds United and twice against Brighton, delivering tangible returns at moments when Liverpool needed cutting edge rather than control.

X: @LFC Finishing and link play shaping Slot’s system

Slot’s Liverpool demands fluidity from its forwards. Pressing, movement between the lines and intelligent combination play are non negotiable. Ekitike’s adaptation to those demands has been swift.

Speaking on Anfield Index’s Fan Focus podcast, Dave Davis captured the mood around the forward’s early contribution, saying, “Liverpool have got a really special talent on their hands.” That assessment goes beyond goals alone. Davis added, “He’s a great finisher but also he’s so good at linking the play.” In a side built around positional rotation and midfield runners, that ability to knit attacks together matters as much as finishing chances.

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The Frenchman’s Bundesliga background has translated well, with his movement stretching defences and creating space for Isak, Mohamed Salah and the advancing midfielders. Davis reinforced that wider view, noting, “He has got everything and he’s showing it already despite just arriving from the Bundesliga.”

Rotation, momentum and long term questions

Liverpool’s schedule across domestic and European competitions will demand rotation, and Ekitike’s form gives Slot genuine options rather than forced compromises. He does not need to start every match to influence outcomes, but his recent run suggests he may be difficult to leave out.

There remains a sense of measured optimism rather than hype. As Davis cautioned, “We will see how the season unfolds for him.” That feels appropriate. Early season numbers are encouraging, yet sustainability across a long campaign will define how Ekitike’s role is ultimately judged.

For now, Liverpool look well stocked. Isak provides the headline power, Salah the enduring excellence, while Ekitike offers balance, movement and goals. In a title defending side shaped quickly by a new manager, that blend could prove decisive as the season deepens.

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Liverpool’s forward planning continues to attract attention, with Give Me Sport reporting fresh insight into the club’s admiration for Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo. The update, shared via Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive newsletter, suggests this is not a passing glance but a developing situation as the January window approaches. Liverpool, crowned Premier League champions under Arne Slot last season, are again positioning themselves assertively in the market.

Semenyo’s name now sits alongside several elite level forwards being tracked across Europe. According to Give Me Sport, Liverpool are “believed to be among a host of clubs eyeing a move for the Ghanaian forward when the market reopens next month”, a detail that reflects both the player’s rise and the competitive landscape around his signature.

Semenyo Profile and Rising Market Value

Romano underlined the scale of interest by noting that there is “Genuine interest but there are more clubs also keen. It’s going to be a race also with more sides, depending on what the player wants to do.” That sense of urgency is fuelled by a reported £65m release clause, a figure that allows suitors to bypass lengthy negotiations with Bournemouth.

On the pitch, Semenyo’s output strengthens his appeal. Six goals and three assists in 14 league appearances highlight a forward entering his prime, while earlier in the campaign he was described as the “best player in the Premier League”. Comparisons to being “close to peak Sadio Mane” only amplify the intrigue for Liverpool supporters who remember the impact of a relentless wide forward at Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO

There has been a dip in form since November, both individually and collectively, with Bournemouth taking just two points from their last six matches. Still, context matters. As Give Me Sport outlines, Bournemouth have already sanctioned major sales, raising £147m from the departures of Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen. Semenyo would be another significant asset moved at peak value.

Competitive Landscape Ahead of January

Liverpool’s interest must be viewed through a wider league lens. A release clause invites competition, and Romano anticipates a multi club race shaped by player preference. From Liverpool’s perspective, the profile fits. Athletic, direct, tactically flexible, Semenyo aligns with Slot’s demand for intensity and vertical threat.

This is not a short term fix narrative. Liverpool’s recruitment has increasingly balanced immediate contribution with long term value, a model that helped deliver the title in Slot’s debut season. Semenyo, contracted until 2030, fits that strategic window comfortably.

Slot Momentum and Squad Context

The report also places this transfer talk against Liverpool’s recent results. Back to back wins over Inter Milan and Brighton have steadied momentum, with a 2-0 victory at the weekend lifting confidence. Mohamed Salah’s return and assist before his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations adds further context to the need for attacking depth during January.

As one line from the report implies, this is about readiness rather than reaction. Liverpool are alert, informed, and prepared to act.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This report feels both exciting and reassuring. Semenyo is not being discussed as a panic buy or a short term cover option, but as a forward who could genuinely elevate the squad. The comparison to Sadio Mane resonates deeply, not because anyone expects a carbon copy, but because of the shared traits of power, drive and fearlessness.

Arne Slot has already shown he can refresh Liverpool without diluting their identity. Winning the Premier League title in his first season raised expectations, but it also bought trust. If Slot and the recruitment team believe Semenyo can thrive within this system, supporters are likely to back that judgement.

There is also realism here. £65m is significant, especially for a player with limited Champions League exposure. Yet modern markets reward decisiveness, and Liverpool have often been strongest when moving before a player becomes unattainable.

The possible absence of Salah during AFCON sharpens the logic further. Depth, versatility and durability are essential for another title push. Semenyo feels like a move that supports both the present and the future, which is exactly where Liverpool should be operating.

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