Liverpool Transfer News: Mamadou Sakho Eyed by Roma, William Carvalho Blow

It's been mere days since Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager, but the new boss is already facing a difficult winter transfer window following unwanted news regarding Mamadou Sakho and William Carvalho.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Roma are back in the hunt to sign Sakho after being linked with the centre-back over the summer, per Dan Gibbs of the Daily Express.

Sakho is in the hunt to re-establish himself as a first-team force under new manager Klopp, having been limited by a series of injuries last season and making just three Premier League appearances so far this term.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

But the defender noted his lack of prominence under Klopp's predecessor Brendan Rodgers was more to do with managerial preference, he recently told French newspaper L'Equipe (via Sky Sports): "Let's say that during the short period when I was not playing, I was like a little caged lion who had not been fed for a while. And when you open the door, he charges."

There is a chance Klopp will look upon the former Paris Saint-Germain star in a different light as the interchanging in central defence continues alongside Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren and Emre Can.

Sakho also went on to tell L'Equipe of the congratulatory message he received from Kop hero Steven Gerrard—now at L.A. Galaxy—after captaining Liverpool against Bordeaux in the Europa League:

"

Steven is an example. Also, he often sends me small text messages like after my first match of the season at Bordeaux, in the Europa League, with the captain's armband. 

He texted me to congratulate me. Continue to fight like that, I'm proud of you. It's always nice to receive such a message from a great player.

"

That urgency to fight will be critical if Sakho is to resist the allure of the Giallorossi, who have been hit in the centre-back department as Leandro Castan looks to rediscover his best form after almost a year out after brain surgery.

The Mirror's David Anderson doesn't appear to have much faith in Sakho, however, a player he has labelled "a waste of millions," along with 2014 recruit Lovren:

At 25 years of age, Sakho has time on his hands to find his best form, and the player signed a contract extension with the Reds in September.

Roma's unwanted attention may not go down well on Merseyside, and neither will the news that Sporting Lisbon's Carvalho could be saving himself for a move to the Emirates Stadium rather than Anfield.

Liverpool have been linked as one of the teams chasing the Portugal international over the past year and more, but he's told Portuguese newspaper A Bola he has a certain fondness for Arsenal (h/t Independent's Tom Sheen):

"

I am where I want to be right now, which is Sporting, but if I ever do leave then it's a sign that my work here was well done. I dream of winning the Primeira Liga here.

I prefer not to say too much, but there is a club with which I’ve always been fond of: Arsenal. Because of Thierry Henry, a player with whom I have always enjoyed watching. 

Maybe this is why I look with so much affection to the Premier League.

"

Sporting currently sit joint-top in the Primeira Liga alongside Porto, and Premier League fans all over may wish for the Lions to triumph if Carvalho is ever to realise his dream and then perhaps consider an exit.

That hope isn't aided by the fact Carvalho's representation is in the process of sanctioning an extension at the capital club, however, according to A Bola, per Metro's Jan Hagen:

Liverpool recently had to deal with the loss of injured captain Jordan Henderson, who's hoping to make his return from a heel blow that's been troubling him for some time now.

Summer signing James Milner remains alongside the likes of Joe Allen, Lucas Leiva and midfield option Can, but Carvalho is regarded as one of Portugal's budding superstars and a more specialised anchoring option.

To hear the 23-year-old profess his admiration of the Gunners may not go down well on Merseyside, but Klopp will assess the players already at his disposal before planning any new recruitment.