The Reds desperately need midfield reinforcements this month to turn their season around but with only a few days of the transfer window remaining, Jurgen Klopp still has a lot of work to do.
Jurgen Klopp’s desire to bolster his midfield options at Liverpool is well documented, but with only days of the January transfer window remaining, it remains to be seen if he will get his way.
The Reds have struggled by their standards this season, currently languishing in ninth place in the Premier League table, 10 points behind Manchester United in fourth. The gap between Liverpool and league leaders Arsenal defies belief when thinking about how the pair fared last season, with the Gunners 21 points ahead.
It is for that reason that there has been a huge demand from both Klopp and the Liverpool fan base for the new signing to be brought in before Tuesday night’s deadline. While demand for entry is high, it is unlikely that any key players will leave, with Nat Phillips likely to be on his way out of Anfield.
With that in mind, Mirror Football have identified some key transfer talking points centered around Liverpool on Saturday, 28 January.
The Reds were forced to make Caicedo’s decision
Liverpool have long been touted as one of Moises Caicedo’s biggest admirers, but are now the only Premier League team linked with the Brighton man who did not make a bid.
Chelsea saw their £55m bid snubbed at the start of this window, while Arsenal also had a £60m bid rejected by the Seagulls hierarchy.
The Reds now know what kind of fee they will have to spend if they are to stand any chance of signing the Ecuador international.
Caicedo seems determined to leave Brighton in the coming days. Writing on social media late on Friday, he said: “I am proud to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton that will allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.”
Phillips transfer update
Phillips has been linked with an Anfield exit this month amid growing concern over his lack of game time for Liverpool this season.
Fellow Reds defender Rhys Williams has been recalled from his loan spell with Championship side Blackpool, sparking speculation that this is paving the way for Phillips ending his Reds career in search of new challenges.
Phillips was originally expected to stay at the club to serve as cover in central defense after an injury to Virgil van Dijk left Liverpool a light in that area, but Klopp issued two updates that appeared to contradict that.
The former is that Van Dijk should be fit to return in a few weeks, while the latter sees Klopp addressing the rumors relating to Phillips, even though he keeps his card in his chest.
Asked if we could expect Phillips to leave in the next few days, the Reds boss replied: “It depends on the offers, we have to be ready for everything. We’ll see.”
Klopp handed Bellingham instructions
Gabriel Agbonlahor has exclusively told Mirror Football on behalf of Grosvenor Casinos that the Liverpool boss must do everything he can to lure Jude Bellingham to Anfield – and recruit another midfielder to join him.
“So, there are a lot of issues that Klopp needs to address,” explained the former Aston Villa player. “If I was him I would do whatever it takes to get Bellingham. If it’s £150m, £100m, £200m, if you need Bellingham I’ll give it to you. I need legs, young players, I need another midfielder with him.”
Klopp’s admiration for the Borussia Dortmund superstar is well documented, but based on past dealings it seems highly unlikely the owners of Fenway Sports Group will provide the kind of funding Germany needs to land a signing of this magnitude.