Stefan Borson has issued a stark warning about Liverpool’s lack of action in the January transfer market. Speaking to Football Insider, the former Man City financial adviser criticised the club’s decision. The club ignored defensive reinforcements before the deadline.
Liverpool Gamble on Defensive Thinness: A Financial Misstep?
Borson calls it a mistake driven by self-imposed budget tightening. He argues that the Reds are risking their Premier League campaign despite a strong Champions League standing. Things look bad right now. Injuries are hitting Arne Slot’s side hard.
Key players like Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez, and Alexander Isak are out. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate has only just come back from compassionate leave.
An Alarming Defensive Picture
The defensive picture at Anfield heading into February 2026 is worrying. The 2025/26 season has been brutal for Arne Slot’s backline. An ACL tear ended summer signing Giovanni Leoni’s season back in September. The recent loss of Jeremie Frimpong to a hamstring issue has left the right-back options completely bare.
This happened during the 6-0 win over Qarabag. Conor Bradley is also out for the season after knee surgery. This leaves Liverpool playing without a proper senior right-back. The club are third in the Champions League group. However, their form at home is shaky.
“They may not be a million miles away on some of the UEFA caps, but I think it’s most likely to be a self-imposed budget tightening. I think it’s a mistake. I don’t really understand why you’d go so far down the road in terms of your spending.”
“You’d have a very favourable situation in the Champions League, a good enough position in terms of qualifying for Europe in the Premier League. They’re not going to win the Premier League, obviously, but why risk everything by being short in defence? I don’t really understand that.”
The Cost of Frugality
Borson’s take carries a lot of weight. Failing to sign cover when injuries have torn the squad apart is a massive gamble. Spending £125m on Alexander Isak shows they have ambition. He is currently recovering from a broken leg. Still, the refusal to protect that investment with a solid defence is confusing.
Relying on midfielders like Wataru Endo or Dominik Szoboszlai to fill in at the back won’t work for long. If this budget tightening means they miss the top four, the financial hit will be way worse than the price of a short-term defender. Slot needs backing, not penny-pinching. This will make sure the season doesn’t fall apart because of an overcrowded medical room.
Nitish Bhan
Nitish is a football journalist with over 12 years of experience covering the Premier League and global football. He combines data-driven reporting with tactical analysis to deliver in-depth coverage for readers who want more than just match reports. A marketing graduate and lifelong football addict, Nitish has contributed to Sportskeeda,…