Liverpool and the rest of the clubs around the Premier League will soon be able to do business. A year ago, Cody Gakpo was already through the door ahead of the window opening and Jürgen Klopp has already played down the chances of a signing. That was, though, before Kostas Tsimikas joined the injury list with that suspected broken collarbone against Arsenal.
“In eight years I’ve never understood this, you always talk about transfers as if it would be the easiest thing in the world,” Klopp told reporters during his press conference three weeks ago. “So find a player, find the money for it — as if we have endless money — I really don’t understand it. Everybody; [the media], fans, everybody.
“They all cost money, it must be the right player. Can you tell me a club which wants to sell a top, top center-back? Not [any] centre-back, a top center-back because he has to play for Liverpool. So why should we start that process? We have for four or five days known that Joël Matip will be out for a long, long time which is really bad for us. We still have four center-backs, that’s absolutely alright.
“If we would have had a fifth center-back already in beforehand it’s a completely different team dynamic, one is not involved. So it was perfect, this is now perfect as long as we can go with this four. If not, then it will be a bit more tricky with the amount of games coming up.
“But it was never a wonderland where you can bring in one world-class center-back until the other is fit again. As long as other clubs don’t put them under the Christmas tree for us and say, ‘Take it and use it as long as you need it’… I’ve not really thought about it yet but I don’t think [we’ll sign anyone] to be honest.”
Despite those comments, the clamor for a transfer will not be going anywhere. Here, a couple of our Liverpool.com writers have their say on who the Reds should target in the market. It will be interesting to see if Arsenal and Manchester City, Liverpool’s primary Premier League title rivals, do any business as well.
Gonçalo Inácio could be the answer – Matt Addison
I completely understand the argument that Liverpool only wants to sign a player if they are perfect for the short and long term, but there is a real chance to win the Premier League title this season and a defender is a must. It’s not as if whoever comes in would be redundant when the defensive injuries clear up, either with the contract situation of Matip well known.
I’m not too fussed about signing another midfielder right now, though that might become a priority in the summer. But a defender feels like a really obvious signing to make for now and the next few years. Someone who can play left-back and left-sided center-back would have been useful in the summer, definitely will be useful next summer, and therefore should, if possible, be signed now.
Gonçalo Inácio and Piero Hincapié are the obvious left-sided names to have been mentioned — Benfica’s António Silva is a talent with a high ceiling as well — but there are reasons against signing all of them. None are 100 per cent ideal. Inácio was available more cheaply only a few months ago, Hincapié has fallen out of favor at Bayer Leverkusen, and Silva would cost a fortune.
Can Liverpool win the league and maybe a couple of other trophies without signing a center-back? It’s definitely possible. But it becomes a lot more likely if a summer transfer plan is accelerated. I’d probably edge toward getting Inácio through the door but if Liverpool was going to pull the trigger, it feels likely that it would have in the last window rather than waiting for this one. His release clause is now nearly 50 per cent higher, standing at $66m (£52m/€60m).
Jeremie Frimpong can give Trent Alexander-Arnold what he wants – James Findlater
A defender should definitely be top of the list in January, and Inácio certainly seems the best option out of those players who could realistically be on the move. If Liverpool has a chance of getting that deal done, then it absolutely should considering the injury list at Anfield at the moment.
But if we’re talking about dream transfers, then why not look beyond what Liverpool needs, and look at what could be something of a luxury? Many fans are dreaming of seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, and the man himself seems keen on it, so how about a signing that could make that a reality?
Jeremie Frimpong has been one of Bayer Leverkusen’s standout stars as Xabi Alonso has taken the German club to new heights. He’d be an ideal right-back for Liverpool, allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to move into midfield full-time while still offering plenty of attacking intent at fullback.
If recent reports are anything to go by, then Jürgen Klopp might already have an eye on the 23-year-old, with 90min claiming Liverpool had a scout watching Frimpong earlier this month. If the suggestion of a $45m (£35m/€40m) release clause is true, he could be a bit of a bargain considering what he could offer to the Reds.
