Liverpool transfer news: Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba, Merit Demiral, Sven Botman latest
Jurgen Klopp is in the market for defensive reinforcements after a spate of injuries at Liverpool
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Liverpool are hoping to strengthen their title defence during the January transfer window after a spate of injuries this season has thrown the Premier League wide open.
Jurgen Klopp watched his side struggle to defeat at Southampton on Monday night to miss out on the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, and second-place rivals Manchester United now have a game in hand as well as the same points tally, while Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are lurking on their shoulders.
It has been a tough start to the campaign for Liverpool, not only due to their wavering results but also the shock of so many injuries to key players including centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Players to have spent significant time on the sidelines also include captain Jordan Henderson, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, summer signing Thiago Alcantara, fellow new recruit Diogo Jota, and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The injuries at centre-back have been particularly damaging, to the point were Klopp is now considering a winter foray into the transfer market. High on his list is Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, who can leave the German champions this summer for free when his contract runs out, though signing him this month may prove too difficult.
That is why Juventus defender Merih Demiral is also thought to be on Liverpool’s radar, although it is thought the Italian champions are reluctant to let their talented Turkish international depart.
And of course there are rumours that the Anfield club are lining up a spectacular move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe in the summer. What a signing that would be.
We will have all the latest Liverpool news, rumours and gossip - on both comings and goings - throughout the day.
ICYMI: KLOPP ON CHANCES OF SIGNING NEW CENTRE-BACK
"I cannot say definitely we will not bring one in but it is just not likely because of the situation in the world. We should not forget the situation is a tough one for all people and for football clubs as well.
"There might be some clubs with absolutely no financial problems but this club was, and always will be with these owners, just very responsible with the things we do.
"If the world would be in a normal place, everything would be fine: we won the league, won the Champions League, the club is in the best possible situation and then you have three senior centre-halves injured, is that a situation when you would usually do? Yes definitely but we are not in that situation. I don't know if something will happen or not.
"You maybe could do something but it would be a short-term solution and we don't have that short-term solution and that is not right because it doesn't help. We have to deal with the situation as we have so far and get through it. It is not the best moment for the whole planet so why should it be for a football club?"
Jamie Carragher says Liverpool's lack of creativity is becoming "a really big worry" after another disappointing result in the Premier League.
Jamie Carragher identifies the ‘really big worry’ for Liverpool after defeat at Southampton
The champions fell to defeat at Southampton on Monday night with creativity again an issue for Jurgen Klopp’s side
KLOPP PLEASED WITH PROGRESS OF JANUARY SIGNING
Jurgen Klopp has hailed the "big steps" made by Takumi Minamino after his arrival from RB Salzburg in January last year.
The Japan international took some time to work his way into the Reds' first-team but has impressed this season.
“You come in, a new club and everybody thinks that you will score 20, 30, 40 goals and stuff like this," Klopp said.
“He is in a good shape - a really good shape – he developed, he got used to it. He was a good player when we signed him, obviously, but he got used to the intensity, the league, training, all this stuff.
“He made big steps. I know the last game he played was Crystal Palace and since then we didn’t win another [game], so we should think about involving him, obviously.”
VILLA STATEMENT AHEAD OF LIVERPOOL CLASH
“Aston Villa can confirm that the Club has closed its Bodymoor Heath training ground after a significant Coronavirus outbreak.
“A large number of first-team players and staff returned positive tests after being routinely tested on Monday and immediately went into isolation.
“A second round of testing was carried out immediately and produced more positive results today.
“First team training ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup match with Liverpool was cancelled.
"Discussions are ongoing between medical representatives of the Club, the Football Association and the Premier League.”
Liverpool’s FA Cup tie against Aston Villa tomorrow night is in doubt after a coronavirus outbreak:
Aston Villa report ‘significant’ coronavirus outbreak on eve of Liverpool FA Cup tie
First-team training was cancelled on Thursday with the Bodymoor Heath complex now closed with ‘a large number’ of players and staff affected
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has all-but ruled out signing a centre-back to ease what has been a problem position for him this season.
Jurgen Klopp explains why Liverpool won’t buy a centre back in January
Liverpool have been beset with injury problems at the back
KLOPP GIVES MATIP UPDATE
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on the fitness of Joel Matip amid talk of a potential return for next weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester United.
"Until the United game we still have nine days around about, so we try," Klopp said.
“He is in a good way but if it will be United or a few days later, I don’t know. After the United game we will obviously play every three days again, so I think that’s pretty sure, but for the United game, we will see.”
Jurgen Klopp told he must have a ‘clever word’ with Liverpool’s front three
The Reds have not scored in their past two games
KLOPP ADMITS NEW CENTRE-BACK SIGNING ‘NOT LIKELY’
Jurgen Klopp has admitted it is "not likely" Liverpool will bring in a new defender this month.
The Reds have been linked with several centre-backs after losing Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to injury.
"No, I cannot say definitely we will not bring one in, it is just not likely because of the situation in world,' Klopp said.
"We should not forget the situation is a tough one for all people and for football clubs as well.
"There will be few clubs with absolutely no financial problems, and this club has always been and will always be very responsible with what we do.
"If the world was a normal place, everything was fine and we had won the league and the Champions League, and the club was in best possible situation and then you have three senior centre-halves, plus Fabinho plus kids, all injured, is that a situation we would usually do something? Yes, definitely.
"But we are not in that situation so I don't know if something will happen or not. Maybe we could do something but it would be a short term solution and we don't have that short-term solution, but that is not right because it doesn't help really.
"It is not the best situation for the whole planet so why should it be for a football club?"
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