Liverpool’s Silent January Transfer Window – ‘Cracks Starting To Show’ | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Squad Depth: Cracks Starting To Show?

Liverpool edged past Wolves with a 2-1 win at Anfield, but the manner of the performance has raised serious concerns. Is the lack of transfer investment in January catching up with Arne Slot’s side? The latest Post-Match RAW podcast from Anfield Index, featuring Trev Downey, Jim Boardman, and Mo Chatra, explored this in depth.

A Squad Running on Empty?

Mo Chatra was quick to highlight a key issue: Liverpool’s midfield lacked control, especially in the second half. “The midfield didn’t really manage to control anything in that second half,” he noted. “They were just being walked through, and Mac Allister, in particular, had one of his worst halves of football I’ve seen this season.”

Chatra’s analysis points to a wider concern—Liverpool’s failure to reinforce in January is forcing overworked players to keep delivering at high intensity. While Liverpool’s title rivals strengthened, the Reds stood still. Now, the cracks are showing.

Too Reliant on the Same Players?

Liverpool’s struggles in midfield against Wolves were evident. Boardman observed that “we just weren’t winning those second balls” and that the performance was “shameful” in certain moments. He suggested that Liverpool looked “casual,” a stark contrast to their usual high-energy displays.

Chatra echoed these concerns, stressing that Liverpool “can’t just expect Mo [Salah], the midfielders, and Van Dijk to carry us through.” With key players like Jota and Gakpo missing, the squad’s depth—or lack of it—was painfully exposed.

Liverpool’s January Gamble

While Endō has stepped up in recent weeks, he isn’t the long-term solution. “Endō coming on should be a signal to the others that, ‘Oh God, we’re in Endō mode now. It’s Endō time. Right, knuckle down, don’t lose this,’” Boardman remarked. That’s fine for protecting leads, but it’s not the approach of a team aiming to dominate games.

Liverpool’s reluctance to buy a specialist defensive midfielder in January was also flagged by Chatra: “Those that had been advocating for the club to sign a DM in the summer would point to that goal as clear evidence of why we still need one.”

Photo: IMAGO

Wolves Expose a Growing Problem

Despite winning, Liverpool were second-best in the second half. Downey pointed out that “Liverpool’s last recorded shot was in the 43rd minute,” adding, “it’s wild to talk about anything other than underperformance when you’re looking at a team which is where Wolves are.”

Wolves controlled large portions of the game, and as Chatra put it, “at home, at Anfield, against a team fighting for survival in the league, that’s highly unusual to see.”

The Title Race: Test of Depth

Liverpool remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, but this performance should serve as a warning. The same squad that’s pushed them into contention might now struggle to get them over the line. The key question is whether Slot can manage the fatigue and rotation effectively.

Chatra summed it up best: “We have been over-reliant on a small handful of players to really get us to where we are right now. This is the point in the season where those that maybe have not contributed as much need to step up.”

Liverpool escaped with the three points against Wolves. But with bigger tests ahead, will their lack of January investment cost them when it matters most?