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
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.
Ryan Flamingo’s Football Manager 26 profile after signing for Liverpool
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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
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