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Liverpool heads into 2026 with a few things still to improve, even if Arne Slot has been heading in the right direction in the last few weeks, largely thanks to Florian Wirtz
Liverpool had mixed fortunes in 2025 but as the new year begins, Arne Slot's side is on the up again. Recent performances and results have looked to be heading in the right direction.
Florian Wirtz has started to come to life, the Mohamed Salah situation before AFCON was handled well, and Slot looks more settled in his position. Liverpool now needs to carry on making progress.
What questions need answering at the start of 2026, though? Liverpool.com has taken a look at some of the burning items that need addressing on Slot's to-do list (along with sporting director Richard Hughes).
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The most obvious piece of work that Liverpool needs to do in the transfer market is at center-back. Having almost signed Marc Guehi in the summer only for it to break down at the last minute, he is the obvious target.
Guehi, Oliver Glasner said recently, would ideally stay at Crystal Palace until the summer. That feels the most likely scenario, at which point he would become a free agent. If it were possible, Liverpool could sign him this month, but might be made to wait.
Contract calls
With January now upon us, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson can both speak with clubs abroad and arrange a pre-contract agreement ahead of the summer. Losing either would be far from ideal.
Though Konate has not had the best season, he is still talented. For the right wage package and with Guehi coming in as well, it would be worth keeping him.
Likewise, Robertson still has plenty to offer, not least his experience and leadership in the locker room. Keeping the Scotland captain and moving Kostas Tsimikas on would be the best option.
Mohamed Salah decision
When he returns from AFCON, Mohamed Salah will open up the debate about his long-term future once more. Even if Egypt reaches the final of the tournament, the winter transfer window will still be active when he comes back.
Salah leaving mid-season feels extremely unlikely, but a departure in the summer can't be ruled out. The 33-year-old has not been as good this season, and he hasn't been entirely happy.
The end of his Liverpool spell is obviously a lot closer than the start, but how it comes to an end — and how he chooses to close the chapter — is a major question for at some point between now and the summer of 2026.
Florian Wirtz position
In the last few games, Florian Wirtz has looked much more at home in the Premier League. However, he has been shifted wide during Cody Gakpo's absence and the team as a whole has looked better for it.
What happens next? Making him the number 10 would mean Alexis Mac Allister dropping out of the starting XI. Keeping him on the left would exclude Gakpo, who is now fit again.
The most important thing is that Slot finds a way for Wirtz to continue improving. How he achieves that could present a real headache, even if, with so many fixtures coming up, there will be plenty of minutes on offer.
Hugo Ekitike rotation
Alexander Isak is set to be missing for a significant period and that leaves only Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool's only fit number nine. (It's almost like signing two quality players in that position was a good idea in the summer, despite what some people tried to argue).
Keeping Ekitike not only free from injury but also fit enough to make an impact this month will be vital, but that will present a tricky problem for Slot to balance. Already, the Frenchman has been struggling with cramp in some games.
In January, Liverpool has nine matches to play. Ekitike won't feature against Barnsley in the FA Cup, but he might well in each of the others. For that reason, rotation, wherever possible, will be hugely important.
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