Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus, Mario Balotelli and January Plans

Squad improvement at Anfield this January looks increasingly likely to focus on attack, with Brendan Rodgers' team struggling for goals of late in what's fast becoming a dire concern for the Reds.

A 1-0 loss at Newcastle United on Saturday was but the latest highlight of how the side aren't coping without Daniel Sturridge among their ranks, having now netted just once in their last four outings.

Mario Balotelli's arrival at the club hasn't gone as smoothly as planned, leading to speculation that an intensified move for Marco Reus could come this winter, and Balotelli is already linked with the Merseyside exit.

Marco Reus

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Reports continue to link Borussia Dortmund's Reus with a switch to the English top flight this January as the Black and Yellows' season moves forward in even more disappointing fashion than Liverpool's.

Jurgen Klopp's men have failed to win any of their last six Bundesliga fixtures, and David Wright of the Express reported earlier this week that Liverpool might tempt Dortmund with a £32 million offer.

In the report, sporting director Michael Zorc is quoted as saying the club's only concern now is form on the pitch, hinting that all contract negotiations and off-field matters fall by the side for the time being: 

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Nothing has changed about our intentions to continue our collaboration with Marco. But the current situation demands full focus from everybody at the club. Our biggest priority at the moment is to get out of this difficult situation. Everything else comes after that for now.

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Having been raised at Dortmund before rising to prominence with Borussia Monchengladbach, Reus holds a special tie to the team and will undoubtedly seek to see his boyhood club succeed.

However, for a player with the potential to win major titles in his career, it's plausible that his head might be turned, Bild (h/t Metro) adding that Reus is seeking wages of £180,000-a-week.

Mario Balotelli

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It seems Balotelli will be going nowhere this winter, as despite all current flags in form, Liverpool are looking to persevere with their current front man, filling in for the injured Sturridge.

The Italian international scored during the League Cup win over Swansea City in midweek, and Rodgers was quoted by Sky Sports as saying of his striker: "I don't have to protect Mario, he is fine. There is no concern."

Balotelli was again off target in this weekend's defeat to Newcastle, with Squawka showing just how little impact he had on the Magpies' defence:

However, James Tyler of ESPN suggested he isn't at the root of the Reds' troubles:

Earlier in the week, Napoli had been linked as a side hoping to take the Italian back to Serie A not six months after he made the move back to England.

However, Italian outlet Mediaset (h/t Sky Sports) provided quotes from the Azzurri sporting director Riccardo Bigon, who said:

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It's a rumour told in Spain, England and Italy but I don't think it is a possibility. Nothing of what has been posted is true. Mario Balotelli is a really great player but he has been just signed by Liverpool who believes a lot in him. Best wishes to him in his English adventure.

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From all sides it would appear a deal isn't likely to materialise, with Liverpool apparently adamant to invest more time in their recent acquisition and suitors by no means lining up to take Balotelli off their hands at present.