In giving his 2026 predictions in a column for the Daily Telegraph, which include Bayern Munich winning the Champions League and France lifting the World Cup, Carragher is of the opinion that Liverpool “cannot afford” to lose Salah in January but could offload him in summer instead.

Liverpool head into the new year having struggled in the defence of their Premier League title this season. Despite a solid start to the campaign, Arne Slot’s men went through an early slump and have already suffered six defeats in the league before the turn of the year.

Chelsea handed London rivals Arsenal a welcome boost in the Premier League title race as Enzo Fernandez struck a stoppage-time equaliser that prevented Manchester City closing the gap at the top to four points on Sunday.

Fulham had gone in front after 17 minutes. A ball out from the back by Jorge Cuenca was diverted over the top via a devilish flick from Raúl Jiménez, and racing onto it was Harry Wilson, able to get his shot off before Ryan Gravenberch could get across and finishing into the corner past Alisson.

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike missed the draw at Fulham and is struggling with an injury ahead of their trip to Arsenal.

No football club has ever spent as much as Liverpool did last summer. Building from a position of strength and funded by a lack of any real activity over the previous 12 months, the Reds became the first team to ever break the £400 million ($538.7 million) barrier in a single window.