Liverpool are likely to need an attacking addition during the January transfer window as they cope with injury and absence.
The Reds have never been a club to look at short-term fixes, but with Alexander Isak expected to be out until March, there is a feeling that something must be done in the market.
Antoine Semenyo is clearly on Liverpool’s radar as a potential new signing, but the 25-year-old is reportedly set on a move to Manchester City.
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As a result, Arne Slot is going to have to look elsewhere. Without any credible links in the press so far, though, it is unclear which direction Liverpool will go in.
With Isak out for a little while, it may be wise for the Reds to sign a player who can do the Swede’s job, but fall into line as a back-up once he returns. If that is the way Slot chooses to go, he could do a lot worse than look to Feyenoord’s in-form striker Ayase Ueda.
Arne Slot has recognised Ayase Ueda’s potential
Given they already have Isak and Hugo Ekitike, it may not be in Liverpool’s thinking to add a third central striker. However, if the ultimate plan is to play Isak and Ekitike together, they will need a capable back-up.
January would be a good time to add that player, and Ueda stands out as someone who could be ideal.
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Slot signed the Japan international from Cercle Brugge in 2023, and according to Dutch pundit Hans Kraay, the Liverpool head coach was well aware of Ueda’s ‘enormous potential.’
“Arne Slot—credit where credit is due—has told us and me several times when we asked about Ueda’s potential,” Kraay told Voetbal International earlier this month. “We really saw that enormous potential once, last season away against Benfica in the Champions League, where he was unparalleled. Slot could use a pat on the back right now. He was right.”
Ueda has stepped up to replace Santiago Gimenez at Slot’s old club, scoring 19 goals in 25 appearances this season. The 27-year-old may not be leading man material at a club like Liverpool, but in the situation the Reds find themselves in now, he should be in the conversation.
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They need someone to fill in for Isak 🤕
Dutch media rate chances of Ueda joining Liverpool
According to Dutch outlet 1908.nl, there have been rumblings from somewhere that Liverpool could in fact move to sign Ueda in January.
However, they claim that rumours of a move to Anfield for the Japanese are actually a ‘myth’ and that there has been no concrete interest from the Reds.
| Ayase Ueda in Europe | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Cercle Brugge – 22/23 | 42 | 23 | 2 |
| Feyenoord – 23/24 | 37 | 5 | 2 |
| Feyenoord – 24/25 | 31 | 9 | 2 |
| Feyenoord – 25/26 | 25 | 19 | 0 |
This is said to be partly because the Eredivisie is no longer seen as a ‘breeding ground’ in which top players can easily make the step up to the Premier League.
While there has been evidence of that in years gone by, this usually pertains to players who are brought in for big fees to be main men at English sides.
In Ueda’s case, Liverpool would not need that from him. In terms of adding depth to Slot’s attacking options, there is no reason he could not make the leap.
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