Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Reds' Top 5 January Targets

No more waiting, Liverpool fans. January is here, and the Reds are certain to make a few moves.

With half the season gone, Kenny Dalglish's team sit sixth in the Premier League table. That won't be good enough for Dalglish, and it won't be good enough for the club's supporters.

Reinforcements are needed, but who? You probably know as well as anyone that Liverpool have been linked with several players over the last few months.

Here are five of the biggest names that have been linked with an Anfield move.

Gary Cahill

Just a few days ago, Gary Cahill was on the brink of a £7 million move to Chelsea. Then the deal apparently stalled over personal terms.

That opened the door for Liverpool, who, according to Mirror Football, want to sign the Bolton defender.

We give the Mirror one thumb up for the rumour and two thumbs up for using the word "gazump" in the headline. Somebody won a bet!

Anyway, the latest news is that one of Cahill's (current, for now) teammates at Bolton thinks Cahill is still going to Chelsea.

Lukas Podolski

With Luis Suarez set to miss eight games through suspension and Andy Carroll still underperforming, Liverpool need attacking talent.

Lukas Podolski of FC Köln could yet fit the bill. The German international, who has long been linked with Arsenal, has been linked with a move to Anfield.

The fee would reportedly be around £16.6 million.

Cheick Tiote

Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote has been a success for Newcastle since his 2010 move from FC Twente. Now, Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing him.

Tiote, who is valued at £25 million, is also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United.

Darren Bent

Here's a late-breaking rumour.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Darren Bent away from Aston Villa. The news comes after Bent earned some bad pub last month for shopping during Villa's league loss to Liverpool.

It was apparently enough to cause Liverpool to think Bent was unsettled. Now, Villa manager Alex McLeish has gone on record warning Liverpool off the scent.

Sounds like this rumour might have legs, no?

Christian Eriksen

It's a long shot, but Liverpool might still have a chance to sign Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen.

But like we said, it's a long shot. Eriksen reportedly has already turned down both Liverpool and Manchester City, citing a desire to see out his Ajax contract, which runs through 2014.

But other sources have suggested Liverpool lead the chase to sign Eriksen in January.

We'll see.