It’s not been a particularly busy transfer window for the Premier League’s elite clubs and that’s certainly the case for Liverpool.
While a plethora of names have been linked with Anfield moves, Jurgen Klopp isn’t expected to receive funds for any new recruits this winter. However, with Liverpool, things often move fast in the transfer market.
Many Liverpool signings of recent years have come out of the woodwork, including the likes of Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai last summer. Therefore, there is still the incredibly slim chance that the Reds strengthen their ranks in January.
Here is what the end of the transfer window would bring for Liverpool in an ideal world.
Fabio Carvalho was back at Liverpool for ten days before heading to Championship side Hull City on another loan. The highly rated forward spent six underwhelming months at RB Leipzig to begin the campaign, failing to force his way into the Bundesliga outfit.
After failing to find the net across 15 largely cameo appearances for RB, Carvalho scored the winner for Hull against Sunderland on just his second outing in orange and black.
Rhys Williams endured an even worse spell at Aberdeen in the Scottish top flight, making one appearance which just so happened to be a humiliating cup loss to fourth-tier Peterhead. Williams was quickly shipped off to Port Vale in League One.
If there is one area in which Liverpool may be found short this season, it’s in the heart of their defence. It’s certainly not down to a lack of quality – Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and young Jarell Quansah have been superb – but injuries could impact the Reds’ prospects moving forward.
Joel Matip is already out for the season with an ACL tear, while Konate and Joe Gomez have a questionable injury record. The latter has more readily been used at full-back anyway this season, a position in which he has thrived.
With Matip’s contract expiring in the summer, it’s unclear whether Liverpool will renew the 32-year-old’s deal. If they don’t, then there’s little harm in snatching up a new centre-back during January, allowing them to settle on Merseyside and help bolster the Reds’ defensive ranks ahead of a busy second half of the campaign.
One man who has been scouted by Liverpool before and is frequently touted with an Anfield switch is centre-back Goncalo Inacio. The Sporting CP defender has impressed in the Portuguese top flight, even making five appearances for Portugal’s national team.
A left-footed centre-back, the 22-year-old has huge potential and has also been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid. With a release clause of just under £52m, Liverpool would be able to skip the negotiating phase and talk directly with Inacio about a move, meaning a transfer could be sealed rapidly.
Oh, and a pre-contract agreement with Kylian Mbappe would be nice.
As Liverpool continue to exceed expectations this season, there is understandably no need to trim Klopp’s impressive squad. The Reds have already called upon their fringe players on plenty of occasions this term and will continue to do so as they battle their way through the Europa League and domestic cup competitions.
However, one player Klopp could do without is Nat Phillips, especially if Inacio was to sign for the Reds. The centre-back spent the first half of the season on loan at Celtic, struggling for game time in Glasgow. While something of a fan favourite at Anfield for his heroic displays during the 2020/21 campaign, it may finally be time for him to make his permanent departure from Anfield.
Calvin Ramsay could also do with another loan spell after being recalled from Preston North End early due to a lack of minutes. The youngster has been unfortunate with injuries again this season and had fallen down the pecking order at Deepdale.
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