What to expect from Liverpool in the January transfer window

David Lynch

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Liverpool started their first season as defending Premier League champions in fine fettle, but injuries and a poor run of form have recently cast doubt on their ability to defend their crown.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both expected to miss much of the remainder of the campaign due to knee issues picked up in quick succession.

And more short-term absences fitness issues for summer signings Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Kostas Tsimikas appear to have affected the players who have asked to take on a heavy load in their absence.

So, will Jurgen Klopp go into the transfer market for solutions in January?

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Liverpool’s January priorities

Ask any Liverpool supporter which position they’d prefer to bolster in the mid-season window and they would undoubtedly tell you centre-back.

With Van Dijk and Gomez out, midfielder Fabinho has been forced to step into the back four, where he has often been supported by the injury-prone Joel Matip.

However, Matip is now sidelined again, leaving the Reds with youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams as their only other options in that position.

Linked with a move to Anfield in the summer, Ozan Kabak has been suggested as a January target, but sources close to the club insist there has been any interest in the Schalke man.

Lille defender Sven Botman has also been cited as a potential target, though Liverpool are again adamant that they are not planning a move.

If the Reds are to target anyone in that position, it seems they would at least fit the ‘young and hungry’ mould, in order to provide long-term upside.

Other possibilities

With injuries having so badly affected his squad, Klopp won’t be too keen to see any players depart in January.

One man who could make way, however, is Divock Origi.

Even in the absence of a number of key players this season, the Belgian has struggled for minutes even from the substitutes’ bench.

It has been suggested that Wolves could reignite their interest after losing Raul Jimenez to injury, and the Reds would certainly be receptive to any offers around the £20m mark.

Other than that, loanees such as Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson would be allowed to make permanent departures, though those are expected to wait until next summer.