Ranking Liverpool's Transfer Window Targets in January
January is a month for wild transfer speculation and tenuous links. In the winter transfer window, the harder you look, the less clear the picture becomes.
While often seen as an opportunity for teams at the wrong end of tables to bring in reinforcements, those sitting more comfortably are still willing to do business, provided the right option becomes available.
Liverpool have dipped their toes in the water in previous January windows.
Actually, that's not quite true; they cannonballed into the player pool in 2011, taking the profits from Fernando Torres' sale to Chelsea and buying Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez (with contrasting results).
Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge were lured away midseason from Inter Milan in January 2013, yet for every success story there is always a Jan Kromkamp or a Fernando Morientes.
So what about the 2017 window? Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has played down the possibility of new arrivals, per Sky Sports:
"We have two games and then a few more in January until the window is closing. You can be sure we are prepared, but that doesn't mean that we do something.
We are already looking for summer, that's how it should be, and maybe we can bring these two windows together and do the right thing in the right moment. If not, we will not do it.
"
His words of caution have not stopped the transfer stories. Liverpool have been linked to so many players that not even a club in China could afford to buy them all.
But with Sadio Mane leaving to play in the Africa Cup of Nations after the Sunderland game, and recent injuries to Coutinho and Joel Matip, Klopp may yet decide to add to his ranks.
Here, Bleacher Report has attempted to sift through the many, many rumours and, based on need, not on most likely to happen, ranked the top 10 players linked to Liverpool.
Considering the criteria for selection, no central midfielders were picked. The current squad has depth in that area, so don't expect to see Mahmoud Dahoud or Geoffrey Kondogbia on this list.
10. Moussa Dembele
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Score goals by the bagful and you're going to get attention.
That's exactly what's happened to Moussa Dembele, who is starring for Celtic under the guidance of former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
Glasgow Live's Gregor Kyle credited Liverpool with an interest in the player at the beginning of December, suggesting Klopp had sent scouts to watch Dembele in the past.
Signed for a compensation fee of £500,000 in the summer from English Championship club Fulham, the 20-year-old has sparkled since crossing over Hadrian's Wall.
Per TransferMarkt, Dembele has scored 19 times in 36 appearances. That tally includes three goals in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, too.
After hitting the target again in Celtic's 2-1 triumph over Old Firm rivals Rangers on New Year's Eve, Rodgers insisted the club are in no hurry to cash in on one of their prized assets.
"He won’t go in January, no question about that. We don’t need to sell. We need our best players to finish the season the best we can," he said, according to Graeme Croser of the Scottish Mail on Sunday.
Every goal adds a little extra on any transfer fee and, whenever he does eventually leave, Celtic are going to make a handsome profit on their initial outlay.
Considering his age and ability to put the ball in the net, Dembele looks a real prospect. But, in Divock Origi, surely Liverpool have a young forward with plenty of potential already, right?
With Daniel Sturridge still around, Liverpool shouldn't shop for a new striker until the end of the season.
9. Virgil van Dijk
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Liverpool linked to Southampton player shocker.
Virgil van Dijk could be the latest Saint to make the switch to Anfield, with Alex Crook of the Daily Star reporting in November how the defender, along with team-mate Sam McQueen, was a transfer target.
Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be on the trail of the Dutchman—Neil Fissler of the Express exclusively revealed the former will make a £60 million offer. Yes, you read that right: 60. Million.
A look at the statistics shows why some of the Premier League's leading clubs are going all googly-eyed over Van Dijk.
He has helped Southampton keep seven clean sheets in league action this season, while featuring in the top 20 for blocks, clearances and interceptions in the Premier League's official stats.
A move to Anfield could see Van Dijk potentially form a partnership at the heart of Liverpool's defence with another ex-Southampton player in Dejan Lovren.
Would Liverpool really spend so much on a centre-back at this time of year?
Joel Matip impressed before picking up an injury that kept him out of the busy festive period, while replacement Ragnar Klavan has been part of a defensive line that had conceded just once in a four-game winning run before the 2-2 draw at Sunderland on Monday.
Van Dijk would obviously be a welcome addition, yet other positions need prioritising over centre-back.
8. Jordan Amavi
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It seemed a nailed-on certainty that Liverpool would buy a left-back in the summer.
Alberto Moreno had failed to convince anyone he was the long-term solution. While lively going forward, his defensive awareness and positioning was horribly exposed at times, never more than in the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla.
However, Klopp had a cunning plan.
Rather than spend money on a new left-sided defender, he instead used the ever-willing James Milner to fill the problem position. It's proved to be a masterstroke.
Yet Milner's form doesn't mean Liverpool shouldn't still be looking around for another option.
Step forward Aston Villa's Jordan Amavi who is wanted by both the Reds and Marseille, according to Foot Mercato (h/t Get French Football News, via Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror).
Amavi was part of the Villa squad that suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, but that hasn't put potential suitors off.
What should dissuade Liverpool, though, is Moreno's presence on the bench. While the man of many haircuts is still around, there's little need to add another left-back into the mix.
Plus, Milner may well be the second coming of Steve Nicol.
7. Gabriel Barbosa
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A talented young Brazilian struggling to get minutes at Inter Milan is linked with a move to Liverpool to revive his career.
Heading to England worked wonders for Philippe Coutinho, so could Gabriel Barbosa follow in the footsteps of his compatriot?
Signed from Santos in August, "Gabigol" has yet to start a competitive match for his Italian employers.
According to Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror, Liverpool were put on "red alert" over the possibility of signing the player. That level seems to have dropped to more like an orange or yellow, though.
However, Flanagan's story included a poll where 73 per cent felt Gabriel would be a good addition to the Liverpool squad.
Well, he'd definitely be fresh. And then there's the obvious hope that having hoodwinked Inter into giving up on the outstanding Coutinho too soon, they could repeat the trick with Gabriel.
At 20 years of age, however, you'd be buying with the long-term future in mind.
If Liverpool choose to make an addition to help their bid to win the Premier League title, Gabriel's name should not be high up their list of priorities.
6. Jese
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Las Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramirez seemingly let the cat out of the bag by revealing Liverpool are one of the clubs in the running to end Jese's nightmare spell at Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward only arrived in the French capital in August after signing from Real Madrid for £21.25million, according to TransferMarkt.
However, the deal has gone down about as well as finding a stray hair in your bowl of soup.
Jese's played just 261 minutes of football in Ligue 1, meaning his main concern has been avoiding splinters while sitting on the bench.
Speaking to Las Provincia (h/t Adriana Garcia of ESPN FC), Ramirez revealed PSG are prepared to cut their losses, whether it be on a temporary or permanent basis.
"Jese Rodriguez is a great footballer. He wants to come to Las Palmas, but he is owned by PSG and earns a salary that is of his level—and that is very high," he said. "Liverpool, Milan and Roma want Jese and are ready to pay what he earns. We cannot afford that salary."
Liverpool are unlikely to match the type of salaries PSG fork out either, so a loan deal would make sense.
Jese could add depth to the forward line during a busy January that includes a two-legged EFL Cup semi-final against Southampton and Premier League clashes with Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, while Jese may be available, the Spaniard is not the best option.
5. Quincy Promes
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All it took was one emoji on Instagram to get Liverpool supporters excited about the potential arrival of Quincy Promes.
After the Dutchman posted a snap sitting on a private plane, Georginio Wijnaldum responded with a picture of two hands praying.
It was easy to put two and two together and come up with however many millions it would take to tempt Spartak Moscow to part with the forward.
Reds midfielder Wijnaldum admitted he would love to have his compatriot at Anfield, but he said he knows nothing about any potential deal.
"Of course I want him to come to Liverpool because I know he is a good player and also a good person who can help the team, but it is something for the manager and the scouts, not for me," he told Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo.
According to TransferMarkt, Promes has managed six goals and seven assists in 14 league appearances in Russia.
With Mane away with Senegal, adding a versatile forward would make a whole lot of sense. Promes, at 24, is of the right age and ability to slot right into Liverpool's squad.
4. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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Per Jason Burt of the Telegraph, Liverpool are "considering an ambitious bid" to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal.
Burt predicts it would cost "between £20 million to £25 million" to get the player out of the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners having signed him from Southampton for an initial fee of £12 million back in 2011.
The Guardian's Daniel Taylor also suggested the move could be on the cards, albeit he cited the difficult relationship between the two clubs following Arsenal's attempt to lure Luis Suarez from Liverpool in 2013.
Klopp quickly poured a giant bucket of ice-cold water on the red-hot rumour by calling it "nonsense" at a press conference, per Juliette Ferrington on Twitter.
However, you can see why Liverpool would look admiringly at Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It is easy to forget the England international is still only 23 years of age. His versatility is also a major attraction, considering he can be utilised in midfield or attack.
While often used out wide by Arsenal, the player told James Olley of the Evening Standard in October how he enjoyed playing centrally in midfield.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's pace, technical ability and work rate would make him an ideal replacement while Mane is missing, as well potential cover for Adam Lallana.
3. Christian Pulisic
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Klopp has long been linked with a raid on former club Borussia Dortmund for Christian Pulisic.
According to Bild (h/t Sport Witness), the Reds would be willing to part with as much as €30 million (£25.5 million) to secure the talented teenager.
That fee has risen sharply from the £11 million offer the Premier League club reportedly made in the summer, per Metro.
Why the upsurge? Because Pulisic continues to impress in the Bundesliga, as Bleacher Report's Lars Pollmann pointed out: "The attacking midfielder/winger has fought his way into the regular rotation, appearing in 30 matches since his debut against FC Ingolstadt on January 30."
However, like a young kid feeling up his Christmas presents under the tree before December 25, Liverpool have been told to keep their hands off.
"We have communicated very clearly that we won't sell Christian, and that he's very much part of our plans," Michael Zorc, Dortmund’s sporting director, told Bild (h/t Mark Critchley of the Independent). "Liverpool don't need to waste their time."
If this list were based on players most likely to join in January, Pulisic wouldn't come close to making the top 10. However, this is about what Liverpool require, not what they can actually get.
In that respect, the United States international would be a sensational addition.
His ability to play a number of positions would, at worst, make for a wonderful option off the bench. But, with Mane missing, he could easily slot straight into the starting XI in a wide forward berth.
Just imagine the size of the smile on Klopp's face if he picked up Pulisic in the January sales.
(NOTE: Alex Richards of the Mirror reported Liverpool will switch their focus from Pulisic to RB Leipzig's Emil Forsberg. The Swede would've been ranked No. 4—behind Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain—in this slideshow.)
2. Kasper Schmeichel
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It doesn't seem Liverpool fans will have to work out how they'd feel about a goalkeeper named Schmeichel playing for them.
Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel—the son of former Manchester United shot-stopper Peter—was rumoured to be a target.
However, Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri dismissed such speculation faster than you can say dilly-ding, dilly-dong.
"Kasper has a signature on the contract," the Italian told the media, per Peter Gilbert of Sky Sports. "We won't sell Kasper under any circumstances. We don't need money. No chance."
Ranieri also added: "I'm sorry for Liverpool, they can win the title without Kasper."
Well, and Ranieri knows this as well as anyone, goalkeepers tend to be fundamental pieces in a league-winning side.
Schmeichel managed 15 clean sheets in Leicester City's stunning title triumph last season and has made 47 saves this season, according to the Premier League's official website.
Yet the key for Liverpool is not finding a goalkeeper who can make plenty of stops, just picking the one who will make the big save when it really matters.
Playing the position for the Reds requires concentration and a thick skin. You are unlikely to be busy for 90 minutes, but you will be expected to make stops at crucial stages of games.
Loris Karius has yet to convince since joining in the summer, leading Klopp to turn back to Simon Mignolet. Jamie Carragher spoke up for the vast majority of Liverpool fans when he wrote in his Daily Mail column: "I worry about the goalkeeper situation."
Schmeichel, though, has the presence in between the posts to play for a club of Liverpool's stature. It's in his genes.
1. Joe Hart
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Joe Hart may not be Pep Guardiola's cup of tea at Manchester City, but the goalkeeper could be just the man to fill a problematic position for Liverpool.
Unwanted by Guardiola, the England international looked short of potential landing spots in the summer window until Italian club Torino stepped in to take the player on loan.
While a regular in Serie A, Hart won't be extending his stay in Turin beyond the current campaign.
"We will enjoy Hart and cuddle him, but we know he is not our player and his wages are not affordable for us," Torino club president Urbano Cairo told La Stampa (h/t Mohamed Moallim of Squawka).
So, could Liverpool be his next destination?
Former Liverpool player turned television pundit Carragher believes his old club should push to sign the 'keeper. He said on Sky Sports (h/t Jack de Menezes of the Independent): "If somebody said to me 'the window's open, you can go and get Joe Hart', I would do it. If I was Jurgen Klopp I would do it."
And, according to Steve Bates in the Mirror, Hart has informed friends he would "jump at the chance to make the switch to Anfield under Jurgen Klopp."
However, there's one major stumbling block to a January transfer. Hart has already played for two clubs this season, meaning he's reached the limit.
If Liverpool signed him in the coming weeks, all he would be for the rest of the season is an expensive spectator with dandruff-free hair.
Yet the rules don't apply here—and Hart would undoubtedly be an upgrade on Karius and Mignolet, providing the Reds with a more reliable last line of defence in their push for trophies.
Who would you like Liverpool to sign? Have your say via the comments section.
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