Liverpool closed out the January transfer window with two key centre-back additions.
After Joel Matip suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Tottenham, Jurgen Klopp admitted that the club would have to find short-term cover in the position.
And so they did, bringing in Ozan Kabak from Schalke on a six-month loan with an option to buy in the summer and signing Ben Davies from Preston North End in a £2million deal.
However, while the winter window may now be done and dusted, that does not mean the rumour mill has stopped churning, and with Liverpool involved, there are always big names being linked with potential transfers.
With that in mind, here are the latest rumours rated.
Nike could help land Mbappe
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe has less than 18 months remaining on his contract and could force an exit from the French champions in the summer.
Liverpool have previously been linked with a sensational move for the World Cup winner, perhaps succeeding one of Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah in the process.
However, securing a move for Mbappe will be challenging, especially financially, with the Frenchman currently valued at around £200 million. Nevertheless, Liverpool's connection with Nike, who they signed a kit deal with in the summer, and LeBron James, a Nike marketing client who is a Reds supporter and minority shareholder, could put them in a strong position.
Mbappe is also a Nike client. He and James have hooked up to produce the 'Chosen 2' brand. With Ligue 1 in financial trouble due to a breakdown in TV contracts, Mbappe's brand may be better served by leaving PSG for the bright lights of the Premier League.
With his, Liverpool's, and James' links to Nike, all signs could point to Anfield.
You can read more about how Nike could facilitate a move for Mbappe here.
Real Madrid prepared to sell Vinicius Junior
Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly ready to sell young winger Vinicius Junior amid links with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Spanish outlet AS via Sports Mole reports that Los Blancos are eager to recoup as much value as possible for the 20-year-old, who has scored just 12 goals in 94 games.
Madrid signed Vinicius for €46m in 2017, though he did not arrive in Madrid until 2018 when he turned 18. At the time, he was the second-most expensive Brazilian in history behind Neymar.
However, Vinicius has failed to live up to his hefty expectations and has made just 10 starts this season. As such, Madrid are said to be keen to offload the youngster in an attempt to sell before his value craters further.
It would appear unlikely that the Reds would aim for move here, if he's not good enough for Madrid then what makes him good enough for the Premier League champions!?
Liverpool approaching defenders on deadline day
For the Reds, the list of potential centre-back options was apparently endless according to the Mirror.
Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig were reportedly sounded out at various points before the window closed, Lille’s Sven Botman was considered in a complicated deal involved Divock Origi.
Then there were aborted attempts to sign Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, who even got to the airport, and also Lyon defender Marcelo, who was reported by L'Equipe to have turned down an offer of a six-month contract.
By the end of the window, Liverpool has signed both Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies as cover in the position after they had scoured the market for every potential option.
