The January transfer window is just around the corner and Liverpool may look to give Jurgen Klopp’s side a boost for the second half of the season.
It’s clear that Liverpool need some freshening up in 2023 with Klopp’s men not quite at their best this season.
Injuries have been a problem throughout for Liverpool and big signings are expected despite some unexpected upheaval.
FSG are open to selling the club, so just how much they will invest is unclear, whilst sporting director Julian Ward will be leaving in the summer.
With that in mind, here is our five-point plan for Liverpool’s upcoming January transfer window…
Consider signing a midfielder even before the Bellingham fight
It seems that Liverpool will be going all-out to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham in the summer. Yet Liverpool need other midfield additions too and Liverpool can’t just put all of their eggs in the Bellingham basket. A natural midfield anchor man to compete with Fabinho would be ideal and a push to sign Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat makes sense after his outstanding World Cup displays for Morocco.
Make firm decisions on Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
2023 should be the year of a midfield revolution at Anfield and whilst that means signings are needed, it also means that Liverpool need to offload a few midfielders who aren’t in the plans. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain spring to mind with both out of contract at the end of the season. Liverpool agreed to sign both players in 2017, with Keita actually arriving a year later. Neither have really lived up to expectations at Anfield though and if Liverpool don’t plan to give them new deals, now is the time to sell.
Attempt to send Arthur Melo back to Juventus
Speaking of Liverpool’s midfield, their last signing for that area really hasn’t worked out. Arthur Melo joined on loan from Juventus on deadline day but has only made one appearance for the Reds so far. The Brazilian’s agent seems adamant that Arthur won’t be heading back to Juve in January but Liverpool should really see if it’s a possibility; Arthur hasn’t offered much since his loan spell and Liverpool surely won’t be turning the move permanent, so a parting of the ways may be best for all.
Explore signing another winger
Liverpool signed a winger in January of this year, snapping up Luis Diaz from Porto. Yet with Diaz and Diogo Jota both injured, Liverpool may need another option to bridge the gap between first-team talent and youngsters like Fabio Carvalho and Ben Doak. Adding a dynamic wide man with exceptional pace – maybe in the early Sadio Mane mould – would be a smart move for Liverpool, whose depth out wide is lacking a little in light of Diaz’s injury setback.
At least weigh up loan exits for Doak and Clark
We can understand why Jurgen Klopp has been allowing Ben Doak and Bobby Clark to train around the Liverpool first team of late; they’re both outstanding young talents and look to have enormous futures ahead of them. Yet if Liverpool do add another Wigner in January, it may be wise to look into loaning Doak and Clark out, with Championship clubs no doubt desperate to give them some senior experience before returning to Anfield in the summer.
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