Liverpool Transfer News: Dries Mertens, Christian Benteke, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool are hoping to add to their Belgian contingent this winter, but they have been hit in their move for Napoli's Dries Mertens, whose compatriot Christian Benteke revealed manager Jurgen Klopp tried to sign him for Borussia Dortmund.

Mertens' agent Soren Lerby spoke to FCInterNews this week denying rumours his client will complete a move away from Naples this January (h/t Mirror's James Whaling): "I have heard these rumours but there is absolutely nothing concrete. We are not talking about these rumours. Dries is not leaving Napoli in January."

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

Liverpool sold winger Raheem Sterling over the summer and failed to add a replacement wide man to their ranks, instead giving youngster Jordon Ibe greater first-team opportunities. 

Speculation has grown regarding Mertens' future in Naples following his failure to play a full 90 minutes for the Italian club this season, managing a start in just three of his 10 Serie A outings.

The 28-year-old moved to Italy from PSV Eindhoven in 2013, but the competition for a place under manager Maurizio Sarri is proving difficult at present.

Mertens has in the past had some success as a No. 10, but Belgian football expert John Chapman suggested the player's optimal position is playing from the flanks:

Liverpool have utilised summer signing Roberto Firmino in a wing role, while the likes of Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho have also been among the main competitors for a place on Klopp's wings.

Any move to Anfield could see Mertens link up with international team-mate Benteke, who lifted the lid on Klopp's 2013 interest in his services before moving to Anfield this past summer, per the Daily Mail's Dominic King:

"

It was after my first year at Aston Villa. My agent and the manager had a meeting about maybe doing a transfer but nothing happened. But it doesn't matter that he tried to sign me before. Liverpool are a massive club and you have to fight for your place. It isn't easy.

He [Klopp] is our friend but he is not our best friend. That is the best way to put it, I think. He is there for us if we need him. We have to do what he wants us to do. The atmosphere has changed because we all know what he did at his previous club. Everyone wants to impress him.

"

Benteke has scored four goals in 11 appearances for the Merseysiders since completing a £32.5 million move to Anfield over the summer, with Klopp perhaps happy to unite with a former target of his.

Brendan Rodgers was still at Liverpool's helm when the 24-year-old made the big-money move, and the pressure is on Benteke to lead the line with success amid Liverpool's striker injury woes.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Daniel Sturridge has made just three appearances this season, while Danny Ings has been ruled out for the campaign with a knee injury and fellow Belgian Divock Origi has struggled in his first term at Anfield.

Benteke continues to show his aerial dominance, and Ben McAleer of WhoScored.com recently highlighted the frontman as one of the Premier League's most successful in the air:

Although Klopp wasn't the man who brought Benteke to the club, the Liverpool chief will nonetheless hope to structure this season's success around a player in whom they invested major funds.

Should he struggle, it's reported the Reds could launch a winter move for Inter captain Mauro Icardi. However, Italian newspaper Tuttosport claimed the club will turn down any Premier League interest in their striker (h/t Football Italia).