Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Brendan Rodgers' Plans for January Window

Liverpool bringing a number of new faces to Anfield in the summer transfer window was always going to be a gamble, and it’s one that hasn’t paid off so far.

One excellent performance away to Tottenham Hotspur aside, Liverpool have failed to gel as a unit this season, dropping what could prove to be crucial points in three of their five opening Premier League matches.

The solution is time. Time for manager Brendan Rodgers to get his new recruits in line, but with the January transfer window around the corner, the Liverpool manager could be tempted into improving his already star-studded outfit.

Isco

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Real Madrid midfielder Isco looked like being part of the Bernabeu exodus during the summer, and though he kept his place in the Madrid squad past deadline day, the end of the road could be close for the Spaniard.

That’s according to the Daily Express’ Anthony Chapman, who reported that Liverpool are set to move for the out-of-favour star in January.

Isco arrived at Real Madrid for £24 million following an impressive stint at Malaga, and while he started his career in white brightly, a new formation and new Galacticos have forced him down the midfield pecking order.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

That’s not for his lack of talent, though, as the 22-year-old remains one of the most exciting midfielders plying his trade in Europe right now.

Isco’s recent performance against Deportivo La Coruna summed up how life in Madrid is treating him right now. After spending 70 minutes on the bench, he came on to devastating effect—as Real Madrid Info revealed:

At times, it’s difficult to see how Isco doesn’t get in the Real Madrid side, and former coach Radomir Antic agrees—saying that manager Carlo Ancelotti has been unfair with the Spaniard, per Alberto Pinero of Goal.com:

"

Ancelotti has not been fair with Isco. Ancelotti keeps on pointing at the defensive aspect of Isco's game. I think he's a tremendous player who adds something vital to the team: creating chances against a defensive opponent. Ancelotti is always looking at the player's weaknesses and this does not help to get the best out of Isco.

"

Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

Defensive duties aren’t part of Isco’s game, but splitting defences is, and he’d undoubtedly be a big hit at Anfield.

First-team football will be the bait that Rodgers teases in front of Isco's nose in January, but whether or not he'll bite remains to be seen.

Marco Reus

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Another player who has reportedly been on Rodgers’ radar for some time is Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus, whose future in the Bundesliga has come under the microscope of late.

The summer transfer window was like a soap opera for Reus, with twists, turns and scandals throughout, and that’s unlikely to cease anytime soon with a number of clubs still pursuing his signature.

Among them is Liverpool, and owner John W. Henry recently dropped a cryptic tweet linking the Reds with a move for the 25-year-old:

Exactly what Henry means is open to interpretation—he could potentially be having a dig at Liverpool fans that keep asking him to land the German—but the fact remains that he’d be a welcome addition at Anfield.

As versatile a forward as they come, Reus is the kind of player that can change a game in an instant—similar to the recently departed Luis Suarez.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

It’s simple to identify what Reus would bring to Liverpool’s setup but signing him is a totally different matter, with Dortmund unlikely to let their star man go.

Manager Jurgen Klopp spoke out about Reus' future to Deutsche Presseagentur as the transfer window approached its closure, saying that he was going nowhere—via Thomas Zocher of Sky Sports:

“I can tell you I have a great feeling regarding Marco Reus' future at Borussia Dortmund. Marco will definitely be around at our club for quite a while."

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Liverpool, then, will have to rely on Reus’ desire to leave the club to make a move happen, but being Dortmund’s big fish is seemingly very appealing to the German international.

While Isco and Reus are talented players, you wouldn’t exactly label them essentials at Anfield.

The Reds have attacking brilliance in abundance, it’s just a case of Rodgers finding the right formula to make them all tick.