Liverpool are already clutching at straws as they’re not where they want to be after the first 11 matchdays of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. Arne Slot’s Reds are currently eighth in the English top-flight standings with 18 points, level with fifth-seeded Tottenham, sixth-seeded Aston Villa, seventh-seeded Manchester United, and ninth-seeded Bournemouth. They have lost five of their last six league matches before the November international break.
With Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea at the top, the SBOTOP Premier League 2025 odds aren’t too optimistic on Liverpool’s chances of defending their title successfully this year. With this in mind, Liverpool are reportedly keen on strengthening their roster in the upcoming January transfer window.
Speaking of the winter window, Manchester United are reluctant to add new players in January amid their latest lineup blow. On the other hand, the Wolves might be stuck with their new manager for the foreseeable future.
Liverpool plan to poach their rivals’ stars in January
After winning the Premier League title last season, Liverpool spent an exorbitant amount to reinforce their squad last summer, bringing in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni while convincing Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to extend their contracts at Anfield.
Despite this, the Reds are struggling, especially since their new guys have yet to hit their stride. Ekitike, Isak, Wirtz, Kerkez, and Frimpong have only four league goals and two assists so far this season. Not convinced with their current production, Liverpool’s front office is reportedly planning to make a few more additions in the upcoming winter transfer window, which they did to acquire van Dijk, Luis Diaz, and Cody Gakpo in 2017, 2022, and 2023, respectively.
According to reports, Liverpool are reportedly interested in Antoine Semenyo and Adam Wharton. Semenyo has been a revelation for Bournemouth this term, registering six goals and three assists. Wharton, on the other hand, has been a key cog for Crystal Palace since he arrived from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are expected not to sell Semenyo and Wharton for a cheap fee, and it doesn’t help Liverpool that the two aforementioned stars are also linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
Manchester United suffer massive injury blow
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is set to miss about a month with the knee injury he sustained in their 2-2 draw against Tottenham just before the international break. The Slovenian international, who was one of the Red Devils’ marquee summer additions, came on as a second-half substitute but failed to finish the match.
Sesko is one of the Red Devils’ leading scorers with two league goals and one assist this season. Many fans believe his absence will negatively impact Manchester United because of the danger he brings in the final third, despite his modest output thus far.
And with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo likely to leave the squad for the upcoming AFCON in December, Manchester United will be suddenly short up front. Before the start of this season, the team’s front office indicated that they’re not planning to add players in January, but they may have to do so out of necessity.
As things stand, Mason Mount will see an uptick in usage in the next few weeks, while Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, and even Casemiro will be tasked with shouldering a heavier load on offence. Fernandes, Cunha, and Casemiro have combined for six league goals thus far.
Furthermore, Ruben Amorim’s side is in danger of losing two more key players in January, as Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee could reportedly ask to leave due to a lack of playing time. Mainoo has started just once in the EFL Cup, while Zirkzee has played only 90 minutes in five substitute appearances.
Edwards reportedly has a “special clause” in Wolves deal
With only two points after the first 11 matchdays, Wolves decided to replace Vitor Pereira with Rob Edwards. In Edwards’ first game at the helm, the Old Gold suffered a 3-0 loss to Chelsea before the November international break.
Because of their poor run of Premier League 2025 results, the Old Gold could be relegated to the Championship, which may eventually lead to Edwards’ dismissal. However, many believe that Edwards’ job is safe nonetheless. Pundits criticised Edwards for leaving a good situation at Middlesbrough to serve his old club. They have floated the idea that Edwards might have a clause in his contract that prevents him from being fired if the Wolves get relegated this year.
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