Liverpool are no strangers to splashing the cash in the January transfer window.
The Reds have enjoyed plenty of success when it comes to winter spending; Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all accounting for some of the more eye-catching deals they have completed over recent seasons. With Liverpool firmly embroiled in the fight to lift the title come the end of the season, only a fool would rule the club out of dipping into the market once again this year.
Before Jurgen Klopp and co. get their hands on the club’s winter warchest, Mirror Football has had a whirl and managed to get a few deals over the line…
There aren’t all too many candidates among the squad primed for an immediate exit, so let’s start with what will be a controversial one. It’s time for Thiago Alcantara to go.
The Spaniard was signed to great acclaim from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020. There have been a number of promising moments – his eye-catching goal against Porto among the highlights – but they have been few and far between.
Thiago has made just 67 league appearances due to injury. With his contract expiring in the summer, it might be time to part ways in January. Saudi and La Liga clubs were previously linked so it’s unlikely that he will be low on suitors.
Away from established first-team stars, it might also be wise to let a few young players leave on loan deals. Conor Bradley has yet to make a Premier League appearance this term having been recovering from a back injury so it might be wise to potentially seek out a Championship side for the young right-back.
Ex-Man City star arrives
With Mo Salah set to depart Merseyside due to the African Cup of Nations, it goes without saying that Liverpool need more options to shoulder the goalscoring burden. A player who has shone in the Premier League before could be an excellent option.
German wideman Leroy Sane was a star performer for Manchester City and helped the side to two Premier League titles. He was eventually allowed to depart for Bayern Munich and has continued to prove his abilities as a very effective, goalscoring winger.
He has just 18 months left on his contract at the Allianz Arena so Bayern might be willing to sell should they fail to commit him to a new deal. A move would still be expensive, mind.
Joining him, another slot in the squad that needs filling is at centre-back, particularly after Joel Matip’s long-term injury. Maxence Lacroix is a player that has regularly been linked with a move to Anfield.
He has shone over the past few seasons with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. He is another who has just a season-and-a-half on his current deal so a January move might not be the worst idea.
Finally, with Bradley moving on, that would leave just Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s only natural right-back. Former Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters has shone for current club Southampton in the Championship this term.
He has two goals and as many assists for the Saints as they aim to earn an instant promotion back to the Premier League. As with all of the players on this list, his Southampton deal runs out in 2025.
Walker-Peters would provide excellent competition for Alexander-Arnold, particularly when the Reds’ academy graduate is moved into midfield under Klopp.
