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

(Getty)

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 09:30 · Callum Rice-Coates]

PLAYERS RELUCTANT TO JOIN LIVERPOOL

Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has revealed that several players are hesitant to join Liverpool because of the status of Jurgen Klopp's first-team regulars.

“A lot of players now don’t want to join Liverpool [and just] play 5, 6, 7 matches, [before] the big ones are coming back from their injuries and then [the new signings] are on the bench for one season or more,” Romano told the Here We Go podcast.

"So, at the moment, Liverpool are still with the same idea: ‘We can stay with this team. If we have an opportunity, OK. If we don’t, we stay with this one’.”

[8 January 2021 09:27 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Aston Villa will field a youth team in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool after coronavirus swept through the senior squad.

[8 January 2021 09:24 · Jack Rathborn]

UDINESE: DE PAUL NOT FOR SALE

Udinese’s sporting director Pierpaolo Marino has ruled out Rodrigo De Paul leaving the club this month.

He said: “We are not selling De Paul in January, you don't sell important players like him in January. We have a great relationship with him and have no problems keeping him here with us. I have said for two years that he would have stayed but nobody believed me.”

[8 January 2021 09:23 · Jack Rathborn]

LIVERPOOL RIVAL LEEDS FOR DE PAUL

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Rodrigo De Paul, who is valued at £40m.

Leeds are also keen, claim The Sun.

The 26-year-old has scored three goals and assisted two more in 15 Serie A games this term.

The Athletic reported earlier in the week that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are unlikely to rekindle their interest from last summer.