Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered a major update on the club's January transfer plans, stating he believes star forward Mohamed Salah will now definitely stay at Anfield this winter.
Isak Injury Forces Liverpool Rethink
The pivotal moment came during Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Striker Alexander Isak, who had just opened the scoring, was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. Although the Swedish international managed to limp from the pitch, it is believed he has suffered a broken leg, a devastating blow for player and club.
This sudden depletion of attacking options has, according to Carragher, completely altered the landscape for the upcoming transfer window. Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, the 47-year-old pundit directly linked the injury to Salah's future.
Salah Stays, Elliott Could Return
"I think for now Mo Salah will be staying at the club," Carragher stated emphatically. The Egyptian winger has been persistently linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, rumours which intensified after Salah recently claimed he felt "thrown under the bus" by someone at Liverpool.
However, Carragher believes the necessity for proven quality up front will override any potential departure. He also suggested that Harvey Elliott's disappointing loan spell at Aston Villa could be cut short, with a "good chance" the young midfielder is recalled to bolster the squad.
Carragher further speculated on potential new signings, mentioning Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo as a player Liverpool have been "heavily linked" with. "I think we all know he's got a buyout clause in January," Carragher noted, suggesting such a move could be a "good way around" the absence of Isak.
Sympathy for Van de Ven's Challenge
The former England defender also offered his analysis of the incident that caused the injury, expressing sympathy for Tottenham's van de Ven. While acknowledging some Tottenham challenges in the game "weren't clever", Carragher defended the Dutch defender's actions.
"I've actually put myself in van de Ven's position there and that's a challenge I'd probably make. You've got to try and block it," Carragher explained. He attributed the unfortunate outcome to "really bad luck" rather than malice, stating van de Ven could not afford to let Isak get a shot away in that situation.
Carragher concluded by lamenting the timing of the injury for Isak, calling it a "real big blow" just as fans were seeing "glimpses of his real quality in the Liverpool shirt." The injury now sets the stage for a January at Anfield focused on retention and reinforcement, rather than a major sale.
