Liverpool are enjoying a great start to their current campaign. The first full season under Jürgen Klopp has started on a very positive note for the Reds, as they sit third in the Premier League and have made it to the last four of the EFL Cup as well.
It has been a true team performance by the Merseysiders, with players all around chipping in with key contributions. Nathaniel Clyne has been brilliant at right-back, James Milner has slotted in an unfamiliar role at left-back seamlessly, Jordan Henderson has led the team excellently from the middle of the park, while Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have looked lethal upfront.
The new faces that Klopp brought in, in the summer, have had a huge part to play as well. Sadio Mane provides a different threat altogether in the attack, adding a new dimension to the Reds going forward. Joel Matip has been a rock at the heart of the defence.
While there has been a plethora of positives, there are some areas of concern for Liverpool heading into the January transfer window. Coutinho was injured against Sunderland and faces a few weeks out on the sidelines. Adam Lallana, who is enjoying his best season in Liverpool colours, is also struggling for fitness while Mane will also be departing in January to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations. And with Danny Ings ruled out for the season and Daniel Sturridge’s continued links with a move away, the attacking department will be left short-handed.
And the backline, in the absence of Matip has looked very suspect. Dejan Lovren has had a mixed season so far, and another summer signing, Ragnar Klavan, has had a stop-start time due to injuries. Klopp has had to rely on Brazilian Lucas Leiva to provide cover at centre-back, which is not ideal, especially when the club is aiming for the title.
So, it is natural that Liverpool have been linked with various players ahead of the January window. While it is imperative that they sign a forward player, who will guarantee them an added attacking threat and goals in the absence of Mane and Coutinho, they will also need to strengthen their backline as well.
One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield is Celtic’s Moussa Dembele. The 20-year old, who was chased by a host of clubs in the summer, has had a great start to life in Scotland. He has scored 17 goals in 29 appearances for the Scottish champions, which include three strikes in the six Champions League games he has played.
His pace, ability to run behind defenders and his direct running make him an attractive prospect for the Reds, while it has also been revealed in the past that Klopp tried to sign him back in his Dortmund days. He has shown great technical ability and composure in front of goal for his age and can prove to be a good piece of business for Klopp and Liverpool if they manage to snap him up in the upcoming window.
Another player who is rumoured to be of major interest for the Reds is Virgil van Dijk. The Southampton defender has had a stellar season so far in defence and has been one of the best defenders in the league this term. The Dutch international signed a six-year deal at the end of last season and Saints boss Claude Puel is desperate to keep him.
Southampton have kept five clean sheets this season, third highest in the Premier League and have conceded only 15 times, fifth best in the league. And van Dijk has been the main reason for the Saints’ solidity and steely nature at the back. With his abilities on the ball and his solid defending, the former Celtic man fits the bill perfectly for Klopp. The German craves for a ball-playing defender, someone like a Mats Hummels from his days as Dortmund boss, and van Dijk is of the same mould.
With him in the backline, alongside Joel Matip, the Liverpool defence will surely be much harder to break down which could be very crucial as they continue their hunt for the Premier League trophy.
If Klopp and Liverpool manage to sign these two targets in the January transfer window, they will go a long way in strengthening and adding more quality to their squad, which will definitely provide a stronger platform for them to challenge for the Premier League. It will be no doubt mean, business well done for the Reds.