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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Your support makes all the difference.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.”
Liverpool may have to get creative if they are to secure a defender this month - a loan or such - but more imperative is that they properly fortify the rearguard in the summer.
Liverpool not signing a centre-back is a risk in more ways than one
The Premier League champions have been beset with injuries at the back which is harming their play both defensively and in attack
Liverpool will begin their quest for FA Cup glory on Friday when they travel to Villa Park for the third round, with the hosts’ coronavirus outbreak failing to see the game called off.
Team news and predicted line-ups ahead of Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Here’s all the team news and our predicted line-ups for the game at Villa Park
LIVERPOOL ‘STRONGLY INTERESTED’ IN SPORTING YOUNGSTER
Liverpool had a €25m bid rejected for Sporting full back Nuno Mendes but remain interested in the teenager, according to journalist Bruno Andrade...
SCHALKE PREPARED TO SELL KABAK
Ozan Kabak, one of several centre-backs linked with Liverpool, could leave the club for a cut price. West Ham and AC Milan are believed to be battling for his signature…
LIVERPOOL TRIED TO SIGN ARSENAL YOUNGSTER
Emile Smith Rowe was a target for both Liverpool and Tottenham before he signed a professional contract at Arsenal, according to the Evening Standard.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was believed to be an admirer of the youngster, who has impressed having broken into Mikel Arteta's first-team at the Emirates this season.
Mauricio Pochettino was also interested in Smith Rowe while in charge of Spurs.
LIVERPOOL HAVE MONEY TO SPEND IN JANUARY WINDOW
Liverpool have the financial means to spend big on a centre-back this month but are reluctant to do so, according to Football Insider.
Finance expert Kieran Maguire is quoted as saying: “The thing is, a £40million signing isn’t £40m upfront because the way that all deals are negotiated these days is that you will pay the figure over three of four years.
“So from a cash flow point of view, they have the resources. They spent moderately last summer so there is something in the tank should they need to dip into the market.
“Their concern is what happens if you sign, say, Ben White for £30m or £40m and then Van Dijk and Gomez come back? How is that going to work with three players fighting over two positions?
“So I think they might take the view of keeping their powder dry until the summer and then assess things there. It’s not a case of not being able to pay, but I think they want to assess their options and it will take them a longer amount of time to do so.”
For a weekend that uniquely brings all levels of English football together, the 2020/21 FA Cup third round may just serve to emphasise its chasms. There is a clear divide – and a lot of potential consequences – between those clubs who can afford to test for Covid-19, and those who can’t.
Covid crisis adds unfortunate twist to debate around FA Cup’s lost meaning
Cup’s lure has long been lost, but postponements and empty grounds have done further damage
INTER COULD TARGET ORIGI AFTER ERISKEN SALE
Inter may move for Liverpool striker Divock Origi once Christian Eriksen and Andrea Pinamonti have been sold, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Nerazzurri reportedly want a player capable of acting as a backup to Romelu Lukaku, with Origi one of several possible targets.
The Belgian has been on the fringes at Liverpool so far this season and will likely be available for the right price.
LIVERPOOL TIPPED TO MOVE FOR SOUTHAMPTON DEFENDER
Martin Keown has suggested Liverpool should take a look at Southampton centre-back Jannik Vestergaard in their search for defensive reinforcements.
The Premier League champions have suffered an injury crisis at the back this season, although Jurgen Klopp has claimed new additions this month are unlikely.
“It is an issue, it is a problem," former Arsenal centre-back Keown said on talkSPORT. “I was looking at [Jannik] Vestergaard playing for Southampton and I will say this on record, I’ve not seen a better central defender this season.
“I look at his contract situation and not trying to cause a problem for Southampton, but maybe that would be a player Jurgen Klopp would go after.
“He has been brilliant this season. He is injured at the moment, but it doesn’t appear as if Jurgen is going to do that. He has got youngsters there, Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and at the moment he is playing two midfielders there, which will take something away from the confidence of these young men.
“It is not an easy solution for him at the moment, with Gomez and Van Dijk, two brilliant central defenders, who he needs back quickly. But I am not sure they are going to be this season."
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has questioned the morality of continuing the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Bruce says it’s ‘morally wrong’ for football to continue
Newcastle suffered their own outbreak which forced the Premier League game with Aston Villa to be postponed
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