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Liverpool Assess Ivan Toney Option as January Window Approaches

Liverpool’s forward planning for the January window has brought renewed focus on the centre-forward position, with Ivan Toney emerging as a realistic, if complex, option under consideration. Recruitment discussions remain fluid, but there is a growing acknowledgement inside the club that additional depth may be required to sustain a title challenge and cope with the demands of multiple competitions in the second half of the season.

Toney, currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, is understood to be open to a return to English football under the right conditions. Liverpool’s interest is not framed as an imminent deal, but rather as part of a wider evaluation of short- to medium-term solutions who can add reliability, experience and proven output in front of goal during the January window.

Liverpool Squad Planning and Forward Depth

Liverpool’s current structure places a premium on versatility and tactical intelligence in attack, but the absence of a senior, physically dominant number nine has been evident at various points this season. Injuries and fixture congestion have underlined the risk of relying too heavily on limited specialist options, particularly when chasing consistency across league and cup competitions.

The January window is not expected to bring wholesale changes, yet recruitment staff are conscious that marginal gains could prove decisive. Toney’s profile fits several of Liverpool’s requirements: Premier League experience, proven scoring record, and the capacity to operate as a focal point without disrupting the wider tactical balance.

While Liverpool remain disciplined in their approach to mid-season business, internal conversations have acknowledged that a controlled addition could provide insurance rather than transformation.

Ivan Toney Profile and Recent Form

Ivan Toney’s reputation as a dependable scorer was built in England, where his combination of physical presence, aerial strength and composure from the penalty spot made him one of the league’s most effective forwards. Since moving abroad, his productivity has continued, reinforcing the sense that his skillset remains sharp despite the change in competitive environment.

Across his time in Saudi Arabia, Toney has delivered consistently strong numbers in terms of goals and assists, underlining that his finishing instincts have not diminished. With an international tournament on the horizon, there is also an incentive for him to return to a higher-profile league to strengthen his case at international level.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the attraction lies not just in goals, but in Toney’s ability to occupy central defenders, bring others into play and offer a different attacking reference point when matches become more direct.

Financial Considerations and Contract Reality

Any move for Toney during the January window would hinge heavily on financial realism. Liverpool are acutely aware of wage structures and age profiles, and there is no appetite to compromise long-term planning for a short-term fix. Toney’s current salary is significantly higher than what Liverpool would typically offer a rotational forward, making any deal dependent on a substantial adjustment from the player.

There is also recognition that Toney, approaching his thirties, would not represent a long-term cornerstone signing. Instead, discussions frame him as a two- or three-year option who could add immediate value while younger attacking pathways continue to develop.

This context is critical. Liverpool’s recruitment model prioritises sustainability, and any January business must align with that philosophy rather than deviate from it.

January Window Strategy and Likely Outcome

As things stand, Liverpool have not advanced to formal negotiations, and no decision is considered imminent. The January window is notoriously volatile, with injuries, results and market opportunities capable of shifting priorities rapidly. Toney remains one of several names monitored rather than a definitive target.

What is clear is that Liverpool are prepared, should circumstances dictate, to explore experienced solutions who can raise the floor of the squad without compromising its ceiling. Toney’s availability, pedigree and motivation make him an option worth analysing, even if the obstacles remain significant.

Whether this interest develops into action will depend on movement elsewhere in the market, Liverpool’s on-pitch situation heading into January, and Toney’s own willingness to meet the financial realities of a Premier League return. For now, the situation is best described as one to watch rather than one approaching resolution.