Liverpool Transfer News: Star Names and High-Profile Rumours Linked to Reds

Liverpool target Christoph Kramer has indicated that he is open to a move to a new club, admitting he is flattered by the interest he has received.

The German World Cup winner is being courted by Liverpool and Real Madrid among others, and he is reportedly set to make a £20 million switch away from Bayer Leverkusen—he is currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach —in the summer, per Alex Harris in the Daily Star.

The defensive midfielder seemingly indicated that he could well be open to a move, as he responded to recent interest shown in him from Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, per RAN (h/t Harris):

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There is no doubt that being associated with clubs like Real Madrid and other greats is an honour. But there is a big difference between a club like Real Madrid and others. At the minute, these are just rumours.

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Indeed, Ancelotti expressed great admiration for the 23-year-old, per 101 Great Goals, indicating that Liverpool may well have a fight on their hands if they want to sign Kramer up:

Kramer is already a terrific deep-lying midfielder and is likely only to improve. He is tireless and effective in defence and also has a terrific ability to take players on moving forward, as well as the passing game to provide counter-attacking balls to the forward men.

With Steven Gerrard's career drawing to a close, Kramer could be a fine addition to the Reds' engine room, but although he may well be available, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will likely have to scrap to sign him. 

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Another potential central midfield target for Liverpool is Aston Villa's Fabian Delph, whom the Reds are reportedly pursuing ahead of his contract expiring in the summer, per James Nursey in the Mirror.

However, it looks as though the move will not go ahead in January, as Villa boss Paul Lambert insists both Delph and Ron Vlaar are set to stay put, per Brendan McLoughlin in the Mirror:

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Even if anybody came in, you would never let them go cheap or anything like that. Would any amount of money tempt me? No. They’ll not go anywhere in January. It’s my say.

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While Delph is a fine player, Kramer would seemingly be the more exciting prospect to sign for the Reds, although the Villa man's Premier League experience is no doubt very attractive to Rodgers.

What is in no doubt is that Liverpool desperately need greater steel in their defensive play, and a top-class deep-lying midfielder would add greater protection for their inconsistent back line.

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Liverpool need to bring in some new blood in January as they currently sit 11th in the Premier League, and unfortunately for the Anfield outfit, they have goalscoring problems along with their defensive issues.

Rodgers admitted ahead of Liverpool's clash with Arsenal this weekend that the Reds have suffered through missing out on Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean eventually joining the Gunners in the summer, per Jack Pitt-Brooke in the Independent:

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Sanchez was identified for us as someone who would have been a key signing and really just a roll on to what we had with Luis Suarez. So to not get him was obviously bitterly disappointing, but once he was gone that was it.

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As replacements for Suarez, Liverpool brought in Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert, neither of whom has convinced so far this term, and recent reports suggested Divock Origi may be recalled early from his loan period at Lille to bolster the Reds attack, per L'Equipe (h/t 101 Great Goals).

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However, Liverpool have now denied these rumours, insisting the 19-year-old Origi will stay in Lille until his loan period is finished, per Sky Sports.

It certainly seemed like a far-fetched notion and one that would likely have proved ineffective anyway considering the Belgian's less-than-prolific Ligue 1 return, per the Times' Gabriele Marcotti:

The Reds are still suffering from the loss of Suarez and do need to add to their strike unit if they are to re-find the excellent attacking form they showed last season as they went so close to the title.

However, significant amounts of money will have to be spent, and should their poor form continue, Rodgers' job could be in serious danger, meaning the January transfer window could prove very important for Liverpool.