Liverpool’s January Reality Check: Brighton’s Baleba Enters the Frame

Liverpool’s season under Arne Slot has taken an unexpected turn. After a £450 million summer rebuild that saw every major target land, the mood around Anfield has shifted from optimism to concern. In The Transfer Show on Anfield Index Pro, host Trev Downey and contributor Dave Davis pulled no punches in assessing Liverpool’s issues — and why the midfield may once again need urgent surgery.

Fragile Foundations and a Failing Blueprint

Davis summed up the uncomfortable truth early: “You can’t deny they spent 450 million plus, all the major targets Liverpool wanted landed. Yet, we look weak. We look underprepared for this league.” He pointed out that despite the investment, Liverpool “can’t handle direct football” and “lose every second ball.”

He didn’t hide his frustration either, remarking, “It’s terrible to say you’ve spent £450 million and there’s a blueprint for beating Liverpool — set pieces, get the ball forward direct and fast. It’s rinse repeat.”

That fragility has put pressure not only on the players but also on Slot himself. “He keeps doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result,” Davis said, questioning the tactical approach that has left Liverpool “so open and porous.”

Brighton’s Baleba and Liverpool’s Midfield Gap

As the conversation turned toward potential fixes, Davis revealed that Liverpool have now made enquiries about Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, marking a notable shift in recruitment focus.

“In the summer, we were told Baleba wasn’t really the profile Liverpool were looking for,” he explained. “They wanted passers, ballers, not the physical type. Now to be asking about Baleba tells you everything — they’re realising we got it wrong. We need a proper defensive midfielder.”

Davis added that the move speaks volumes about how far priorities have changed since last year. “Liverpool have asked about Carlos Baleba, which is probably telling how much physicality we lack right now.”

Brighton, however, are known for driving a hard bargain. Davis was blunt about the difficulty of any January deal: “They would absolutely pull our pants down for Carlos Baleba in January. You can imagine how much they’d quote Liverpool — it’s never going to happen this winter.”

Defensive Reinforcements on the Radar

While midfield remains a glaring issue, Davis also confirmed that Liverpool are actively scouting defenders. “Liverpool have had a serious look at Van Hecke at Brighton,” he said. “He’s got 18 months left on his deal and has made it clear he won’t sign a new one.”

He also mentioned that “Liverpool are looking for defensive options in January” despite the challenges of a World Cup year. But he stressed that centre-back Marc Guéhi of Crystal Palace was “ruled out for January because Liverpool won’t pay a premium when they can get him free in the summer.”

Slot’s Future and FSG’s Expectations

Amidst the transfer speculation, Davis provided context on Slot’s position. “The club are 100% behind Arne, but FSG’s backing is on the premise that he’s in touch with the Champions League places. If that becomes at risk, no one’s quite certain what will happen.”

That uncertainty feeds into a wider feeling around the club — that Liverpool are at a crossroads between a transition and another rebuild. “You can paper over cracks,” Davis said, “but there’s no two ways about it, this is going to take cold hard cash.”

January Mayhem Ahead

As the discussion closed, Davis offered a final dose of realism. “Because of what’s happening at the moment, Liverpool are having a serious look at that January market. Maybe for the worst possible reasons, we might have more to talk about than we anticipated.”

For a fanbase accustomed to strategic recruitment and minimal January action, those words land heavily. If Liverpool are now chasing the kind of physical presence they once dismissed — like Brighton’s Carlos Baleba — then the club may be acknowledging that the summer rebuild did not fix the fundamentals.