Liverpool Transfer News: Brendan Rodgers Casts Serious Doubt over January Deals

Despite sitting eighth in the Premier League table, Liverpool won't do "much, if any" business during the January transfer window. That's according to Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers, per Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce:

That's likely to upset and even anger some Liverpool fans who've seen the club fail to approach the heights of last season's second-placed finish. The summer sale of talisman striker Luis Suarez, along with the injury suffered by Daniel Sturridge and some questionable signings, have seen Liverpool struggle.

In fairness to Rodgers, though, recently there has been evidence that he's righting the ship with his current squad. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions and scored 10 goals in those games.

The reward for that run has been moving to within five points of the top four places. The Reds have also earned a place in the Capital One Cup semi-final, where Rodgers team will face league leaders Chelsea.

Rodgers has moved his personnel around to craft a new attacking dynamic. He's put jet-heeled winger Raheem Sterling through the middle and surrounded his pace with the guile of schemers Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho.

Rodgers clearly believes in his current group of players, something he has stated as a prime reason for resisting the January sales:

However, while Rodgers is right to be comfortable with some of his forward-thinking resources, Liverpool still have problems at the back. The Reds have conceded 25 goals in just 19 games, according to PremierLeague.com.

Summer buy Dejan Lovren has had trouble staying healthy and also struggled whenever he's made it onto the pitch. Rodgers has had to rely on experienced pair Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel. Yet neither has been particularly impressive. Nor has expensive misfit Mamadou Sakho.

Liverpool could certainly use some help at the back. Meanwhile, B/R's Janusz Michallik is not as convinced by the club's options in midfield as Rodgers clearly is:

One player who won't be able to help in the middle is AS Roma's loanee Radja Nainggolan. Rodgers was linked with a January bid for the tenacious battler, per Daily Star reporter Bruce Archer.

However, Italy based writer and commentator Richard Whittle says no such deal will take place this winter:

Further forward, Rodgers has been linked with an ambitious pursuit for Bayern Munich attacker Xherdan Shaqiri, according to Daily Star writer Nick Lustig. The Reds could also bid for Villarreal's exciting young forward Luciano Vietto, per Daily Mirror reporter Bill Cooper.

Yet Rodgers' latest comments naturally cast doubt over these deals. Not recruiting a new striker this winter seems like a risk. It can't be anything else when a traditional winger is leading the line, Sturridge is injured and new boys Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have both flopped.

But not adding to the numbers up front could be nothing compared to the gamble Rodgers takes if he maintains the status quo in defence. 

Of course, it's not unusual for a manager to be cagey on the eve of a transfer window. Openly declaring admiration for, or an intention to bid for certain players, wouldn't be the smartest negotiating tactic.

But that's unlikely to ease the nerves of Liverpool fans who will no doubt worry that Rodgers is serious about sticking with what he has for the rest of what has already been a trying season.