The new year is here and you know what that means: the January transfer window is now open. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has already played down the chances of his side being able to find the right option to bolster their options ahead of the second part of the campaign, but the rumors and links are unlikely to subside.
There is an argument that Liverpool could do with signing another midfielder but the real need is at the back. Getting a center-back in, considering Joël Matip, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are all missing, is something that could potentially decide the title race. Liverpool is an injury to Joe Gomez away from being in crisis.
Given that the Reds are a leading contender for the Premier League title and the favorite to win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League, that feels like an unnecessary risk to take. If Liverpool can find a defender that might have been targeted in the summer whose signature can be accelerated by six months, that could make a massive impact.
It is not only defenders that are being linked, though. A forward is said to be on the agenda amid interest from Spurs. That is where we start with today’s Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds.
Johan Bakayoko (PSV)
Liverpool signed a forward from Dutch side PSV last winter and the Reds are being linked with another this time around. Cody Gakpo made the switch to Anfield in 2023 and Johan Bakayoko is tipped to be a transfer option in 2024.
The 20-year-old has scored four times and assisted 13 goals so far this season. Italian journalist Rudy Galetti has reported on X/Twitter that Liverpool and Spurs are taking a look.
António Silva (Benfica)
Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all taking a look at Benfica wonderkid António Silva ahead of a possible January move, according to 90Min. The trio are said to have scouted Silva, who is still only 20.
The center-back is very highly rated but manager Roger Schmidt has already outlined that Benfica’s stance is that he will not be sold mid-season. He does, though, have a $111m (£87m/€100m) release clause. Manchester United supposedly wants him to replace Raphaël Varane while Liverpool needs more defensive depth. Real Madrid has lost David Alaba to injury.
