Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Rodrigo De Paul, Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Simakan, David Carmo latest

The Reds have been badly hit by injuries and Jurgen Klopp will be keen to bolster his squad as he bids to win multiple trophies

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Jurgen Klopp will be concentrating on the FA Cup third round tie at Aston Villa tonight, even if Liverpool’s opposition could represent an Under-23 side after Dean Smith’s squad suffered a Covid-19 outbreak.

The Reds needs a result and a performance after a small blip over the festive period, which most recently saw Danny Ings inflict defeat on his former club in a 1-0 win for Southampton.

Liverpool missed 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. 

Youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have stepped in and performed admirably, but for the Reds to remain on course in Europe and defend their title at home, a new signing could be necessary. A proven centre-back could then boost their hopes of advancing in the Champions League knockouts, where RB Leipzig await in the last 16.

READ MORE: How will Brexit affect the January transfer window?

Here you will find all the latest gossip, rumours and latest transfer news surrounding Anfield in what has been an unprecedented season. While Klopp is keeping his cards close to his chest for now: “We have solutions in the squad - obviously. But we are struggling still with the injuries we have at this specific moment - it is happening most of the time it is in the centre-half position. That's clear. Some players are injured, play pretty quick like Joel [Matip] and get injured again. It just can happen like this, when it starts at one point and just doesn't stop. So we have solutions in the squad but if we can do something in the window - I don't know, it's really like that. It's a very difficult transfer window, I'm sure you can imagine. Not a lot of clubs have real money, some clubs don't have money but don't need money as well - that's the situation.”

• Jurgen Klopp looks to ‘super’ Thiago Alcantara after Liverpool’s recent slump
• How much will Premier League clubs spend in January transfer window?
• What transfers could happen in January window?

Liverpool Transfer News

• Doubts over futures of Wijnaldum and Salah
• Alaba considered potential defensive target

[8 January 2021 11:42 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Klopp has said it is “unlikely” that Liverpool will find a solution to their defensive crisis during the transfer market due to the ruinous financial effects of coronavirus and the difficulty of a mid-season signing in the current climate with isolation rules and such.

[8 January 2021 11:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

KLOPP EXPLAINS BACKROOM STAFF ADDITION

Jurgen Klopp has revealed why he chose to add Dr Andreas Schlumberger to his backroom staff.

The German was appointed as Liverpool's new head of recovery and performance last month.

“Yes, if you would ask people in Germany, in this area – rehab, performance, recovery – he is No.1 in Germany,” said Klopp.

“I know it for years. We studied at the same university so I have followed his way all the way through, then we worked together for a few years at Dortmund. He went to Bayern, worked for Gladbach, worked for Schalke, worked before that for Nurnberg – and for the German FA as well for the national teams. All that stuff. His CV is just incredible, absolutely incredible.

“Recovery, rehab, performance is always an area where medicine and science are just not there yet. That’s normal; 20 years ago it was a catastrophe compared to today. In the moment, we are in a really good place but it is not finished – the development is not finished, so the knowledge is not finished."

[8 January 2021 11:19 · Callum Rice-Coates]

WIJNALDUM ‘CONTINUES THINKING’ OF BARCELONA MOVE

Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum is still considering a move to Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Spanish newspaper claim Liverpool's first contract offer was turned down, despite indications that the Dutchman would remain at Anfield after Barcelona's failed attempt to sign him last summer.

And Wijnaldum "continues thinking" about joining Barcelona a free transfer this summer.

[8 January 2021 11:00 · Callum Rice-Coates]

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.

[8 January 2021 10:43 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GAME ON

Liverpool will be playing a very young Aston Villa side in the FA Cup tonight…

[8 January 2021 10:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

CHARLTON BOSS ON LIVERPOOL LOANEE

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has discussed the reasons behind Liam Millar's loan move to the League One side.

“He is not the finished article, because if he was then he wouldn’t be coming to us. Liverpool want him to get more experience and he played in Scotland last season [for Kilmarnock]," Bowyer said.

“We’ll work to improve him, like we do all the players who come to us. He will be exciting to watch and has that pace on the break.

“I think Premier League clubs know we look after their players – on and off the pitch. And by the time we send them back 99 per cent of the time we send them back as better players and they’ve learned something from us.

“We want the same when we send our young lads out, you want them to develop.

“Liam was definitely on our radar in the summer. Last season we just thought it was maybe a little too early for him to come to us in the Championship. We think this is the right time to bring him in.”

[8 January 2021 10:04 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he and owners Fenway Sports Group are on the same page when it comes to transfer business in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

[8 January 2021 09:45 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Jurgen Klopp does not like getting beat – especially conceding 12 goals in two away games at the same club – but the Liverpool manager is looking beyond Villa. The FA Cup matters little to the 53-year-old, especially in a season concertinaed by coronavirus. Payback can wait. Nursing his injury-ravaged squad through a title race is much more important to the German. Manchester United are up next at Anfield in the Premier League and addressing the stuttering form of the festive period is of primary importance.

[8 January 2021 09:41 · Callum Rice-Coates]

LIVERPOOL MONITORING STRASBOURG DEFENDER

Liverpool are one of several clubs interested in Strasbourg youngster Mohamed Simakan.

But Milan are believed to be favourites, while RB Leipzig are “almost in agreement with Strasbourg”.

[8 January 2021 09:35 · Callum Rice-Coates]

KOEMAN POSITION COULD COMPLICATE WIJNALDUM TRANSFER

The fragility of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman's position could hamper any potential attempt to sign Gini Wijnaldum, according to the Athletic.

The Dutch midfielder has been linked with a move to the Catalan giants amid talk of a contract dispute with Liverpool.

But Koeman's poor start as Barcelona boss, and the upcoming presidential elections at the club, could mean January transfer plans are disrupted.