Liverpool's engine room is in dire need of reinforcing but which top-class midfielders are actually available and affordable?..
The clamour for a new midfielder at Liverpool grows with each passing game, it seems.
Jurgen Klopp may have insisted that the Reds cannot “play Monopoly” in the January transfer window, but it seems clear that without at least some kind of reinforcement this month, his side can forget about securing a top four finish in the Premier League.
We know who their No.1 target is, but there is zero chance of persuading Borussia Dortmund to sell Jude Bellingham at this point – and there is no guarantee right now that the England star will choose Liverpool over the likes of Real Madrid or Manchester City, either.
Likewise, a move for Wolves’ Matheus Nunes, a long-standing target, must wait until the summer, with the Portugal international having already played for two clubs this season.
Anfield sources continue to play down the arrival of another new signing this month, to follow on from the £44 million ($52m) capture of Cody Gakpo, but we have seen in the past two January windows that Liverpool are willing to do late business, should an opportunity present itself or the need become too great to be ignored.
With that in mind, GOAL takes a look at some players who could find themselves on the Reds’ radar over the next three weeks…
Getty ImagesMoises Caicedo
The Brighton midfielder, 21, is a player who is clearly destined for a Champions League club, and the fact that the Ecuador international recently switched agents suggests that he and his camp are preparing for a move in the near future. Whether Brighton would wish to sell, mid-season and when they have European ambitions of their own to fulfil, is another matter, although a rumoured fee of between £45-60m ($55-73m) is not beyond the realms of possibility for a club like Liverpool. Club sources have, however, played down talk that a deal is on the cards.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAlexis Mac Allister
What about Caicedo’s team-mate at the Amex? Mac Allister is hot property after playing a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win, and like Caicedo has already been linked with a move to a bigger club. The 24-year-old is reportedly interesting Chelsea, who for the time being are managed by ex-Seagulls boss Graham Potter, and has an all-round game that could make a big difference to a club seeking an immediate impact, such as Liverpool.
GettyYouri Tielemans
It seems strange that a player such as Tielemans, 25 years of age and with considerable experience and credit in the bank, has not either agreed a new contract with Leicester or attracted sufficient interest to secure a move away from the King Power Stadium. The Belgium international’s deal expires in the summer, opening up the possibility of a cut-price move in January. His Premier League experience, and his ability to create and score goals from a right-sided No.8 role, could make him an interesting proposition for Liverpool, given the struggles of Jordan Henderson and Harvey Elliott to flourish in that role this season.
Getty ImagesFlorian Neuhaus
A couple of summers ago, the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder was very much on Liverpool’s radar, but a move for the 25-year-old failed to materialise, and Neuhaus is currently working his way back from a knee injury suffered in September. He hopes to return to action this month, and with only 18 months remaining on his contract, it will be interesting to see if Liverpool revive their interest. It seems unlikely, but they have done it before with players such as Mohamed Salah.