Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann says that Jurgen Klopp's side are unlikely to sign anyone in January because the right option is not available.
The German also believes that David Alaba is unlikely to be following Thiago Alcantara to Merseyside from Bayern Munich, because the versatile Austrian would rather move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.
"I think [Alaba's] preferred destination was always Spain. I’m not sure if he wants to go to the Premier League and come to Liverpool," Hamann told Stadium Astro.
"The fact that Liverpool are interested is not a surprise because Alaba has probably been one of the best centre-backs – after Virgil van Dijk – for the last 12-18 months.
"But I just don’t see Bayern Munich letting him go in January."
Liverpool are being linked with a plethora of centre-backs but have to balance factors such as availability, cost and the number of non-British slots they have available in their Premier League squad.
Should Van Dijk be added to the Premier League roster for the second half of the season, Liverpool's non-British number would be reached unless someone else was taken out.
"Dayot Upamecano from Leipzig, who is absolutely tremendous at the back - Leipzig won’t let him go," Hamann added.
"I don’t think there is any chance whatsoever that [Liverpool] get a centre-back who will improve them for the next six weeks or next few years."
Speaking in more detail about Leipzig star Upamecano, who Liverpool will face in February and March in the Champions League last-16, Hamann outlined that he believes a deal is more likely at the end of the season.
"I think [Upamecano] has a [release] clause [that would become active] in the summer. These clubs won’t sell [mid-season]," Hamann said bluntly.
"[Klopp] needs to see what he can get in January. You look at players who are not in the Champions League, maybe a bit lower down, and I’m not sure this is the type of player that Liverpool need to improve.
"If you have to play Fabinho and Matip, yes he hasn’t stayed fit but maybe you get eight or 10 games out of him.
"[Jordan] Henderson can fill in. Fabinho is hardly injured. I would stay put for now.
"If an opportunity arises then of course you have to think about it, but I don’t see any of the top clubs letting their best players go in January.
"I think it’s unlikely they are going to buy one."
