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Liverpool have bolstered Arne Slot's defensive options during the January transfer window - but it won't help him for the remainder of the campaign. The current Premier League champions have been in urgent need of additions across their back line due to an expanding injury roster.

Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez are all out of action with Slot forced to manage the club's quest for glory in three competitions with a significantly depleted defence. Whilst it appeared they were poised to secure Lutsharel Geertruida on loan from Sunderland, a move for the Dutchman fell through on Sunday evening.

Nevertheless, relief came several hours afterwards as Liverpool pipped Chelsea to secure an agreement for Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old centre back is considered amongst Europe's finest defensive prospects and represents quite the capture for Slot's squad.

The sole minor snag, if one exists, is that Jacquet will be moving to Anfield in the summer with the Ligue 1 club reluctant to release the Frenchman mid-season. Whilst the arrangement to acquire the youngster doesn't immediately resolve the defensive problems that presently trouble Liverpool, it's hardly the worst result that could have materialised in the winter window.

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With that in mind, Mirror Football examines what an alternative transfer window might have resembled for the Merseyside giants had certain choices been taken differently. Since Mohamed Salah's return from Africa Cup of Nations commitments, he's featured in every match across all competitions for the club.

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His regular inclusion is undoubtedly a stark contrast to the circumstances that prompted him to criticise the club and Slot following the Reds' 3-3 stalemate against Leeds United in December. The encounter at Elland Road represented the third straight fixture the Egyptian had been relegated to the substitutes' bench.

Incensed by his relegation, Salah accused the club of 'throwing him under the bus' and insisted he had no rapport with Slot. Whilst the predicament was ultimately resolved, a straightforward remedy could have been to offload Salah, considering the 33-year-old himself cast uncertainty over whether he'd remain a Liverpool player beyond 2026.

The Saudi Pro League's pursuit of Salah is widely acknowledged and it's probable they would have stepped forward with an enormous bid had the Reds been prepared to terminate their eight-year relationship with one of the finest players to ever represent the club.

Although an offensive acquisition following Salah's exit would be improbable, the Reds' requirement for centre-back reinforcements suggests they could have re-entered the pursuit of Marc Guehi. It was four months ago on deadline day when a transfer for the Manchester City star came within inches of completion.

The £35million deal fell through, but with Palace eager to secure a transfer fee rather than lose him on a free transfer in the summer, Liverpool may have opted to compete with City for his services.

Had this scenario unfolded, the fact that Guehi had previously agreed to join Liverpool at the conclusion of the summer window suggests beating City to his signature would have been within reach.

Guehi's arrival would have certainly intensified competition in a problem position for the Reds, with Ibrahima Konate's place in the side under threat given how underwhelming much of his season has been. Even without securing the England international, finalising a deal for wonderkid Jacquet has delivered a satisfying conclusion to what has been a largely quiet window.

However, there exists a scenario where Liverpool could have missed out on the Frenchman. Jacquet has been a priority target for Chelsea, whilst Arsenal and Manchester United maintained long-standing interest in the player.

The Blues held discussions with Jacquet's club Rennes last month, indicating they could have pipped Liverpool to his signature. It wouldn't have been the first occasion a player chose the Blues over the Reds, with Moises Caicedo the most recent to do so back in 2023.

The appeal of living in London, working under a manager in Liam Rosenior who has experience in Ligue 1, and the French contingent at Stamford Bridge could very well have proved decisive.