Liverpool Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of November 17

Whenever a side struggles at the start of a season, their supporters naturally begin to look towards the January transfer window in hope that they might sign a player to fix their problems.

Having signed nine players this summer though, Liverpool are unlikely to add many new names this winter. They added plenty of potential, what they need now is for that potential to prosper. A lack of proven quality is what Liverpool lack.

With the gamble on Mario Balotelli having so far failed to pay off, and with Daniel Sturridge having missed 14 games through injury already, it's certain that Liverpool will be linked with a plethora of forwards between now and January.

You can also expect plenty of speculation on the future of captain Steven Gerrard until his contract situation is determined.

Here are this week's LFC transfer rumours and reports.

Inter Eye Gerrard

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

New Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini wants to lure Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to Italy in January, according to Rob Shepherd in The Mail on Sunday.

The 34-year-old's contract expires next summer and has started to be linked with moves abroad, but a move away in January seems unlikely—such a legendary figure isn't likely to leave mid-season.

Nonetheless, Shepherd writes that "a move to Serie A could be very appealing."

Inter Don't Want Balotelli Though

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One player Mancini doesn't want to take back to Italy though is Mario Balotelli, who the new Inter coach was in charge of at Man City previously.

“Mario is happy at Liverpool, he has a great chance and was fortunate enough to go back to one of England’s biggest clubs," he explained, as per The Mirror's Aaron Flanagan.

Pereira In, Johnson Out?

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One player who Liverpool are reportedly eyeing is Benfica right-back Maxi Pereira, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (h/t The Mirror).

Pereira, like Glen Johnson at Liverpool, is out of contract next summer, so he could move for a nominal fee in January or The Reds could look to sign him on a Bosman free transfer.

Johnson, meanwhile, is wanted by AS Roma, according to The Daily Mail's Simon Jones.

Reds Want Keita Balde Diao?

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According to The Express' Bruce Archer, Liverpool and Arsenal are "ready to go head-to-head for former Barcelona youngster Keita Balde Diao."

The 19-year-old former Barcelona youngster is clearly a talented prospect, but given Liverpool spent £10 million on Divock Origi last summer, they're unlikely to need another teenager to add to their attack. What The Reds actually need is more proven players to affect the team immediately.