Liverpool January transfer: 2026 Key Changes
Liverpool January transfer discussions are intensifying after former Premier League scout Bryan King named four players who could be replaced as new head coach Andoni Iraola continues reshaping the...
Liverpool January transfer discussions are intensifying after former Premier League scout Bryan King named four players who could be replaced as new head coach Andoni Iraola continues reshaping the squad. King identified Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong as potential January considerations in comments to Football Insider.
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Liverpool January transfer: who is under scrutiny?
King, speaking to Football Insider, suggested Iraola may look to bring in players of his own choosing and could listen to offers for senior players. “I look at [Florian] Wirtz and I think whether he’s the player that the manager inherited, whether he could be moved on and a new player brought in,” King said. He added: “I look at [Cody] Gakpo, who has been talked of leaving and leaving and leaving. I look at the defenders [Joe] Gomez, [Jeremie] Frimpong.”
Those comments come amid a mixed start to life at Anfield under Iraola. Liverpool remain unbeaten in the Premier League and secured a 1-0 win at Bournemouth before the international break, but performances have not always matched the results.
Key players named and what the club has already said
Wirtz is the most notable name King mentioned. Liverpool paid a package worth up to A3116 million for Wirtz in 2025, and while his early displays have drawn criticism, separate reporting indicates Liverpool currently have no intention of selling the 23-year-old despite potential interest from European clubs.
Gakpo has been part of the first-team picture too, scoring against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup prior to suffering an ankle injury on international duty with the Netherlands. Gomez only made his first appearance of the season against Spurs after returning from injury, while Frimpong remains a defender under consideration given Iraolas tactical preferences.
Why January will likely be selective rather than wholesale
Although King highlighted four names who could be replaced, the articles reporting stresses that a mass clear-out in January would be unlikely. The club could make one or two targeted additions where Iraola needs greater depth, particularly on the right wing, but shifting several senior players at once would be disruptive.
Injuries have already exposed thin areas in Liverpool’s squad; club updates have highlighted absences for Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa, increasing the urgency for cover in some positions. Still, Wirtzs transfer fee and age argue for more time rather than a rush to sell, and Gakpos versatility across attacking roles retains value for the squad.
Supporting analysis from the scout
King added context on Gomezs place in the team, saying: “Gomez promised an awful lot, but I dont think hes going to be getting a chance, to be honest, not looking at what he brought in there.” He also flagged that players who could raise decent funds are likely to attract interest: “So those two and the ones who could raise decent money would be Gapko or Wirtz. Thats for sure.”
King is a former Premier League scout and his comments to Football Insider are opinion-based analysis rather than club confirmation. The club has not publicly announced plans to sell any of the players named by King.
Transfer strategy and likely outcomes
Realistically, Liverpools January activity is expected to focus on shoring up weak areas and adding depth where injuries have bitten. The most probable scenario is selective recruitment combined with measured openness to offers for fringe players who do not fit Iraolas preferred core.
That approach would allow Liverpool to protect squad continuity while enabling the new head coach to begin tailoring the team to his tactical vision without a mid-season overhaul.
What Happens Next
Between now and January, developments to watch include injury recoveries for Gakpo and Gomez, any public transfer communications from Liverpools directors, and reported approaches from other clubs for the names Bryan King mentioned. Fans should also monitor credible reporting about Wirtzs future, where separate outlets have indicated the club currently prefers to keep the midfielder.
If Liverpool do move in January, expect one or two targeted signings and a pragmatic evaluation of which players genuinely sit outside the managers long-term plans. For now, the comments from King add to a broader conversation about squad evolution under Andoni Iraola rather than providing definitive news of departures.
Source: Original report
