Fernandez in, Milner out: What Liverpool need in January transfer window

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 22 Dec 2022 21:56 GMT
• 4 min read

Liverpool have got off to their worst ever Premier League start under Jurgen Klopp this season, and the Reds are expected to spend big during the January transfer window as they look to steady the ship.

Liverpool were Manchester City's nearest challengers in the Premier League last season, finishing just a point off the pace, but they are sixth at the midway point of the 2022/23 campaign.

Sadio Mane's €41 million sale to Bayern Munich and an injury-ravaged midfield haven't helped, and some surgery is required in the winter transfer window.

READ: Real Madrid ready €115m Bellingham bid to fend off Man City and Liverpool

Where might Liverpool buy in January?

Football Transfers takes a closer look…

Goalkeepers

Liverpool are secure in net: Alisson is one of the world’s best and des not need replacing, so the Reds are confident in that area.

READ: Liverpool face fresh challenge in their pursuit of World Cup star

There’s enough back-up as well: Caoimhín Kelleher and Adrian are capable to deputize and they are looking good in that area for the rest of the campaign.

Defenders

The Reds might need some improvements at the back with Ibrahima Konate’s fitness a doubt despite his World Cup appearances so another centre-half might not be the worst idea.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form is a concern and the Reds will want to see an improvement; if not, another right-back may work, with Konrad Laimer’s versatility tempting, however, he is Bayern Munich-bound.

Midfielders

Midfield is where Liverpool face the biggest problem with James Milner and Jordan Henderson ageing and other options suffering from fitness issues.

Their two biggest targets are Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez, but Liverpool know there is big competition for them and they will cost upwards of €100 million, with a January transfer difficult.

There are other targets, however, with the likes of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Valencia’s Yunus Musah and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat all linked; what’s clear is Liverpool will have to spend big.

Forwards

Liverpool have had some uncertainty in attack with Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino sharing the sole attacking role, but the Brazilian’s future is unclear with links to Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool have good options out wide with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, but they may feel they’ve made an error in not signing a direct replacement for Sadio Mane.

Kylian Mbappe is a wild dream, but there are more realistic targets such as Mohamed Kudus of Ajax, Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssouffa Moukoko and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.