Liverpool to accelerate plans for ‘quality’ January signing after Alexander Isak injury blow | OneFootball

Reds could be forced into transfer market amid Isak fears

Liverpool are set to step up plans to sign a new forward in January amid fears Alexander Isak faces a long spell out with a broken leg.

Isak is waiting for the results of an MRI scan but if the £125milion signing suffered a serious injury against Tottenham then Liverpool could be forced into the transfer market.

Liverpool have been monitoring Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65million release clause that can be activated next month.

Targeting a versatile forward who can play across the front line would appear more logical than a like-for-like replacement for Isak.

Antoine Semenyo has a £65m release clause that can be activated in January

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But Manchester United and Manchester City are said to be at the front of the queue to sign Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Anfield insiders reportedly maintain there have never been plans to be “heavily active” in January but the club were weighing up their options prior to Isak’s injury.

Liverpool have also been linked with Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju.

Should Isak's injury prove serious, reports say Liverpool may consider a pivot to other options.

Arne Slot on Friday played down the prospect of more big spending in January.

But, despite splashing out almost £450million in the summer, Liverpool can still spend next month after recouping over £200m from player sales.

They took a “quality-over-quantity” approach in the summer when they signed Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni.

Isak’s injury could also have a knock-on effect for Mohamed Salah, who has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia amid uncertainty over his future following his bust-up with Arne Slot.

Liverpool were not planning for Salah to leave in January and a long-term injury to Isak will only reinforce that because they cannot afford to reduce their attacking options further.

If Isak is sidelined, Salah could have a key role in the second half of the season.

Liverpool will be without the 33-year-old until late January, depending on how Egypt progress at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cody Gakpo is out injured in the short-term and has been in inconsistent form this season, and Isak’s injury worsens a headache for Slot.

It puts pressure on Ekitike and could present an opportunity for Federico Chiesa or Rio Ngumoha, but neither have started a Premier League game this season.