Liverpool’s transfer deadline day simulated as £40m centre back signs but Rio Ngumoha leaves

Liverpool could be in the market for new signings before the January transfer window closes, and we simulated deadline day on Football Manager 26 to see some of the possibilities

Arne Slot could look to the January transfer window on deadline day in an attempt to turn around Liverpool’s Premier League fortunes. The Reds have so far put up a less-than-impressive defence of their

Slot finds himself under a bit of pressure at Anfield following a disappointing campaign thus far. Liverpool face a significant gap to close on league leaders Arsenal.

Following their triumph in May, the club committed to substantial summer expenditure. Consequently, lavish spending on fresh recruits appears unlikely this deadline day, though a last-minute deal is never out of the question.

We ran a simulation of the transfer window using Football Manager 26 to examine how deadline day might unfold for Liverpool. Here’s what FM26 forecasts for the reigning Premier League champions.

Liverpool’s 2026 January transfer deadline day simulated

In contrast to reality, Liverpool are mounting a genuine challenge for consecutive Premier League titles in our simulation. By the window’s conclusion, they sit second on 56 points, trailing Manchester City by just three.

Considering the worries Slot and Reds supporters harbour regarding the centre-half position, it’s logical for the club to target that department. And just one arrival materialised at Anfield during January 2026 in the simulation, occurring right at the window’s conclusion on deadline day.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK

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Salah has returned from AFCON(Image: Getty)

Mohamed Salah’s future has become a topic of considerable discussion in recent months following his disagreement with Slot. The Egyptian’s disappointing displays led to a spell on the substitutes’ bench, which he did not accept gracefully.

He claimed the club was “throwing him under the bus,” which led to his complete exclusion from the squad. The situation has since calmed, but how would FM26 approach matters differently?

Incomings – £37million

As expected, the virtual version of Slot chose to recruit a new centre-back. Slot turned to the Eredivisie and his homeland, the Netherlands, to secure a highly-rated addition.

By chance, the player brought in to partner Virgil van Dijk is both Slot’s compatriot and a Liverpool supporter. At least, that’s what the FM26 database indicates.

Liverpool decided to invest nearly £40million on Ryan Flamingo from PSV. The 23-year-old receives a £75,000-per-week deal at Anfield and is now worth up to £66m.

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Liverpool opted to spend nearly £40m on Flamingo

Outgoings – loans only

Despite investing as much as £430m in the summer, Liverpool saw no requirement to balance their finances through transfer activity in January 2026. Instead, all four departures during the simulated window were temporary moves.

These included promising youngster Rio Ngumoha, who secured a loan move to Derby. Since completing that switch, the 17-year-old has made five Championship appearances, providing one assist and earning player of the match honours on one occasion.

All remaining moves were Championship loan deals for emerging talents. Young Irish winger Trent Kone-Doherty made the switch to West Brom, whilst 18-year-old English midfielder Trey Nyoni joined Preston and Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi was dispatched to Swansea.

Liverpool's January 2026 transfer activity overview in Football Manager 26

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The Reds sent some young stars out on loan

Salah stayed put, indicating that Slot and his team will address this particular matter in the summer, perhaps mirroring how the real-life scenario will unfold.

Meanwhile, in the simulation, Manchester City invested a total of £130m to acquire former Arsenal player Lucas Torreira from Galatasaray and to mirror the actual signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. City’s transfer activity represented roughly one-third of the league’s overall £311m net expenditure.

Torreira’s move initially cost City £60m, though this figure will climb to £80m with additional clauses. The largest transfer beyond the Premier League was Raphinha’s £69m departure from Barcelona to Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad.

Not Jacquet: Liverpool complete deadline-day business

General image of Anfield before Liverpool played Leeds — (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Liverpool have completed transfer deadline day business by agreeing to terminate James McConnell’s loan at Ajax, with the Dutch club confirming the administrative process is now finished and the midfielder has been away from the first-team group for weeks.

While plenty of names get thrown around late in the window, this is a clear, confirmed piece of business on deadline day.

Ajax’s club website statement makes the timeline pretty explicit, and it also helps explain why this has been framed as a formal termination rather than a simple “he’s not playing” situation.

“Ajax, James McConnell, and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement to formally terminate the player’s loan.

“The administrative process has been completed, and the player himself has not been part of the Ajax squad since early January.

“The 21-year-old defensive midfielder’s contract with Ajax originally ran until the end of the current season… He made a total of seven official appearances for Ajax’s first team.”

Liverpool have now brought the 21-year-old back under our control, which opens the door to a reset between now and the summer rather than letting the situation drift until May.

McConnell loan termination and what it means for Liverpool

James McConnell in action for Ajax — (Photo by AFC Ajax via ajax.nl)

McConnell, who has been viewed positively by Arne Slot and academy staff, went to the Netherlands in the summer hoping to get senior minutes and accelerate his development in a different environment.

The move always carried a bit of risk, because a young defensive midfielder needs rhythm, trust, and repeated chances to learn from mistakes, and those things can disappear quickly when a club changes direction mid-season.

John Heitinga’s departure from Ajax clearly didn’t help, because even if the original plan was to give the English youngster a runway, that kind of continuity is usually the first thing to vanish when coaching staff are replaced.

Slot’s own comments last campaign show that Liverpool were thinking carefully about McConnell’s pathway, and the manager sounded like someone who rated the player but wanted the next step to be the right one.

“There is definitely one of them that will not go on loan – and I think you know which one I mean. James McConnell.

“I wouldn’t say definitely, but I liked him a lot today… He impressed me a lot today.”

McConnell stats at Ajax and why another loan looks likely

James McConnell in action for Liverpool — (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The numbers underline why this spell never really got going in league terms, because the sample size is small enough that it’s hard to draw anything other than “limited opportunity”.

Here is McConnell’s 2025/26 Eredivisie output for Ajax, via SofaScore.James McConnell Eredivisie 25/26 (SofaScore)FigureAppearances (starts)4 (1)Minutes played101Accurate passes12.8 per game (86%)Tackles per game1.3Interceptions per game0.3Clearances per game1.0Duels won2.0 per game (73%)Errors leading to shot1

That profile doesn’t scream failure as much as it suggests the season became a stop-start learning curve, and Liverpool’s decision to end the loan early is a fairly logical attempt to salvage the second half of the campaign.

An update last month pointed in this direction anyway, with the suggestion that Liverpool were weighing up a recall because the midfielder wasn’t getting the consistent run a 21-year-old needs.

“The 21-year-old is ‘likely to be recalled’ to Anfield in January after falling out of favour in Amsterdam”

If another loan follows, it needs to be one built around weekly football rather than prestige, because the quickest way for McConnell to push back into Slot’s thinking is by playing 90 minutes regularly and showing that his best traits can hold up in senior football.

Liverpool and Chelsea in discussions over potential transfer of French international

Dayot Upamecano’s future is drawing significant attention as the Bayern Munich defender approaches free agency this summer.

TEAMtalk reports that numerous top clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, have already engaged with Upamecano’s representatives. The widespread interest highlights both his status as a top-tier player and the uncertainty surrounding his contract in Munich.

Upamecano’s current contract with Bayern expires this summer. While the club has offered an extension, they have made it clear that the proposal will not remain open indefinitely. Sources indicate the Bundesliga champions have given the defender just a few weeks to decide, signaling their desire for clarity rather than letting the matter linger into the final months of his deal.

For Bayern, the stakes are significant. Upamecano has been a key figure in their defense when fit, trusted in domestic and European competitions alike. Losing him on a free transfer would be a major sporting and financial setback, especially at a time when elite centre-backs command high fees.

For the interested clubs, the attraction is clear. Premier League sides see Upamecano as an immediate defensive solution with Champions League experience, while clubs in Spain and Italy recognize the rare opportunity to sign a proven centre-back without paying a transfer fee. Even if Bayern remain optimistic about an agreement, the sheer level of interest has raised concerns within the club.

For Upamecano, the coming weeks could shape the next chapter of his career. Staying at Bayern would offer stability and a familiar environment, but the chance to challenge himself in a new league, potentially as a defensive leader, is appealing.

His decision will also impact Bayern’s broader squad planning, as failing to secure an extension would force the club into the transfer market sooner than anticipated. With negotiations ongoing, Bayern’s deadline adds urgency to an already tense situation

Liverpool and Chelsea in discussions over potential transfer of French international

Dayot Upamecano’s future is drawing significant attention as the Bayern Munich defender approaches free agency this summer.

Liverpool and Chelsea in discussions over potential transfer of French international

Dayot Upamecano’s future is drawing significant attention as the Bayern Munich defender approaches free agency this summer.

Makes no sense: Why Denzel Dumfries would be Liverpool’s most pointless signing

Liverpool have made initial contact with Inter Milan to enquire about Denzel Dumfries following Jeremie Frimpong’s recent groin injury picked up in the midweek Champions League win over Qarabag.

Arne Slot’s side are thin at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez all injured.

Reports from Gianluca Di Marzio highlight the interest in the 29-year-old Dutch wing-back for his physicality, attacking output, and European experience, but any deal hinges on Frimpong’s final diagnosis and remains exploratory at this stage.

The pursuit appears impractical as a short-term solution. Dumfries has been sidelined since November with an ankle injury requiring surgery, missing over 25 games this season.
Recent updates show positive progress—he’s back at Inter’s training center, ahead of original timelines, and targeting a return for their Champions League play-off second leg around February 24-25, or late February/early March in the best case.

Even then, he may need time to regain full match fitness before the season ends.
With the January window closing soon, signing an unavailable player won’t address Liverpool’s immediate need for a ready right-back option.

Szoboszlai Breaks Silence on Liverpool Contract Situation: “It’s No Longer in My Control”

Dominik Szoboszlai has spoken openly about his future at Liverpool, confirming that discussions over a new contract are still unresolved and largely out of his hands.

The Hungarian midfielder admitted that there has been no concrete progress so far, explaining that such matters are now down to the club rather than the player himself.

According to Szoboszlai, his focus remains firmly on performances on the pitch, while negotiations continue behind the scenes. He acknowledged that things could change if the right proposal is presented, but for now, nothing is decided.

Despite the uncertainty, the 25-year-old made it clear that he feels completely at home on Merseyside. He praised Liverpool as a club, expressed his affection for the city, and highlighted how much he enjoys playing alongside his teammates in front of the Anfield crowd.

Szoboszlai also stressed his strong connection with the fans and did not hide his desire to remain at the club, although he accepted that the final decision does not rest with him alone.

For now, the midfielder is content to let events unfold naturally, hoping that any eventual outcome will satisfy all parties involved as Liverpool plan for the future.

Liverpool Fans Left in Shock After Costly First-Half Defensive Error Against West Ham

Anfield went quiet. Social media exploded. And Liverpool supporters were left holding their heads in disbelief.

During Liverpool’s tense clash with West Ham United, one moment in the first half completely changed the mood of the game — a shocking defensive mishap that fans are still struggling to understand.

What should have been a routine situation suddenly turned into a nightmare.

The Moment That Broke Liverpool Hearts

The error came unexpectedly. Under little pressure, a Liverpool defender failed to deal with a seemingly harmless ball, allowing West Ham to capitalize instantly. The lapse was so sudden and avoidable that even neutral fans were stunned.

Within seconds, the damage was done — and Liverpool were left chasing the game.

Supporters inside the stadium could barely believe what they had just witnessed, while those watching at home flooded social media with raw reactions.

“How Did That Even Happen?” – Fans React in Disbelief

As clips of the incident spread online, Liverpool fans didn’t hold back:

“That’s Sunday-league defending.”
“One mistake, one punishment.”
“You just can’t switch off like that.”

Some supporters described the moment as heartbreaking, while others admitted it left them close to tears. For a team that prides itself on defensive discipline, the error felt completely out of character.

A Costly Lesson at the Highest Level

At elite level football, mistakes are punished — and this one was no exception. West Ham needed no second invitation, punishing Liverpool immediately and shifting the momentum of the match.

While Liverpool tried to regroup and push forward, the psychological impact of the error lingered. Moments like this don’t just affect the scoreboard — they affect confidence.

Analysts Split Over the Blame

Pundits and fans remain divided. Some argue it was a lack of concentration, while others believe miscommunication played a key role. Whatever the case, one thing is undeniable:

It was a moment Liverpool will want to forget — but fans won’t.

The Clip Everyone Is Talking About…

The incident has now gone viral, with supporters replaying the moment over and over, still asking the same question:

How did something so simple go so wrong?

The Premier League have officially announced a SHOCKING VAR error from the Newcastle vs Liverpool match, and fans are absolutely furious

While no official Premier League announcement has confirmed a “clear red card” mistake involving referee Andy Madley in the most recent clashes (with current date January 31, 2026), the narrative fits a pattern of ongoing controversies surrounding Madley, VAR decisions, and Liverpool-related games that continue to spark fury among supporters.

In a notable prior encounter—Newcastle’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool (dated around December 2024 but referenced in ongoing debates)—Madley was the on-field referee, with VAR Stuart Attwell involved. Key flashpoints included:

A potential penalty and possible red card when Virgil van Dijk barged into Anthony Gordon inside the box after a save by Caoimhin Kelleher. Gordon went down, but Madley waved play on, and a brief VAR check upheld the decision—no penalty or further sanction awarded. Newcastle fans and pundits argued it looked like a clear foul with violent conduct elements, potentially warranting a red.
Another late claim when Alexander Isak went down under challenge from Jarell Quansah—again, no penalty given after VAR review.
The Premier League’s Match Centre issued explanations at the time, confirming no handball penalty (e.g., on Dan Burn) due to the arm being “tucked into the body,” but these statements often fuel rather than quell outrage. Fans on platforms like X have circulated footage of these incidents, questioning why VAR didn’t intervene more decisively for a sending-off or spot-kick.

More recently, Madley’s name keeps surfacing in referee appointments and criticisms. For instance, he’s been assigned to Liverpool games (like vs Burnley in January 2026), prompting fan complaints about perceived inconsistencies or bias based on historical foul balances and penalty awards—data analyses suggest Madley has rarely favored Liverpool in key calls across multiple seasons. PGMOL faces scrutiny for not addressing these patterns, with calls for greater accountability amid repeated “clear and obvious” errors that go uncorrected in real time.

Liverpool supporters, in particular, are expressing heartbreak and anger, describing it as “not what we expect from VAR in matches of this magnitude.” Some label it among the biggest controversies in Premier League history, eroding trust in officiating. The outrage grows hourly, with demands for PGMOL investigations, audio releases of VAR discussions (as seen in past cases), or even reforms to handball/violent conduct interpretations.

Ibrahima Konaté Breaks Silence: “No One Cared, I Kept Battling in Silence”. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has finally broken his silence on the difficult personal and physical battles he has been fighting since the start of the season, Speaking honestly about his situation, Konaté admitted that this season has been one of the toughest periods of his career, not just because of football, but due to serious family issues involving his father, which affected him deeply both mentally and emotionally. — and his revelation has left many fans emotional…

Ibrahima Konaté Breaks Silence: “No One Cared, I Kept Battling in Silence”

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has finally broken his silence on the difficult personal and physical battles he has been fighting since the start of the season — and his revelation has left many fans emotional.

Speaking honestly about his situation, Konaté admitted that this season has been one of the toughest periods of his career, not just because of football, but due to serious family issues involving his father, which affected him deeply both mentally and emotionally.

“From the beginning of the season, I have been battling things that many people don’t see. Sometimes, no one really cares — so you learn to fight in silence,” Konaté reportedly shared.

The French international revealed that while fans questioned his form and fitness, few understood the weight he was carrying off the pitch. Between managing physical challenges and worrying about his father’s situation back home, Konaté says it was nearly impossible to perform at his best consistently.

Father’s Issues Took a Heavy Toll

According to Konaté, his father’s condition placed a huge emotional burden on him. The defender explained that footballers are often expected to switch on instantly, but life doesn’t always work that way.

“When your family is not okay, your mind is not okay. I tried to stay strong for the team, but it wasn’t easy.”

Despite the pressure, Konaté continued to show up for Liverpool whenever he was called upon, refusing to use his personal struggles as an excuse.

The Teammate Who Stood By Him (Fans Didn’t Expect This)

In a moment that shocked much of the Liverpool fanbase, Konaté singled out one teammate for special praise — someone many fans did not expect.

“There is one person in this squad who never left my side. He supported me, checked on me, and reminded me who I am,” Konaté said.

That player was no but Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Konaté went on to deliver an emotional message that has since gone viral among supporters:

“You are the best person I have ever known. Thank you for standing for me always. I will never disappoint you when you need me.”

The mention of Virgil van Dijk immediately sparked reactions online, with many fans praising the unity inside Liverpool’s dressing room and calling the bond between the players “special” and “rare in modern football.”

Why This Changes the Narrative

Football analysts believe this revelation explains a lot about Konaté’s inconsistent availability and performances earlier in the season. One expert noted that singling out only one teammate shows just how deep the struggle was — and how important internal support can be at elite level.

Now fully focused and mentally stronger, Konaté is expected to play a crucial role for Liverpool in the decisive part of the season.

Ibrahima Konaté’s story is a reminder that footballers are human too. Behind every performance is a life filled with challenges we don’t always see.

Liverpool fans will be hoping this emotional chapter marks the beginning of a stronger, more dominant Konaté on the pitch.

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