It’s not been the best of starts to the new season for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. After 9 Premier League games they currently sit in 9th place with 13 points out of a possible 27 collected. The winter transfer window is a chance for everyone to make adjustments to their squads as they look to meet their targets for the season and Liverpool are no different. So where are Liverpool in need of reinforcements right now in order to improve their league form while competing on multiple fronts?
Well, Liverpool’s major undoing so far has been their defense. In fact, it has been an issue at Anfield for quite some time with many expecting them to recruit at least one quality centre in order to shore up what has been a leaky back-line over recent times. At the start of the summer it seemed like Klopp had prioritized signing Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton, however after allegations of tapping up; Liverpool ended their interest and not only that failed to recruit anyone else to play at the back but sold Mamadou Sakho to Crystal Palace.
So the priority has to be recruiting a quality centre half and maybe even two. There continues to be question marks over Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip has also failed to impress as often as expected too. The likelihood is that Klopp will once again turn his attentions to Southampton’s Van Dijk who has now found himself back in the first team picture but is said to be still keen on a move away from St Mary’s. A spokesman close to the player has confirmed the desire for the move to happen from both Klopp and the players is still very much alive, so a January deal will not come as surprise. Van Dijk would add leadership, organization as well as strength and pace in a back line that at times looks extremely weak.
Another position that has been a concern for quite a while at Liverpool is the one between the sticks. Klopp currently has two keepers who he has rotated in and out of the side, Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius. Mignolet has been at Anfield longer than Karius; but both keepers are prone to making a mistake here and there and that will hardly fill the defence with confidence. Mignolet is the current number 1, but Klopp may be in the market as he looks to strengthen his back five. West Ham’s Adrian could be a good stopper to bring in, even if only on loan.
They are surely the two main targets for Liverpool in the winter transfer window. Things could change if Barcelona reignite their interest in Philippe Coutinho as an offer could come in that is simply too good to refuse. If that was the case, Liverpool may adjust their targets accordingly and they’ll definitely have more money to spend. The defence has to be the priority though and the signing(s) have to be the right ones. The lack of quality at the back has hindered Liverpool for far too long and having a solid foundation will allow their attacking threat a freer reign.
