The January transfer window closed on Monday night meaning attention has now turned to the upcoming summer window.
Liverpool landed two defenders on an exciting transfer deadline day on Merseyside, with Preston’s Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak of Schalke arriving at the club.
Davies and Kabak will bolster the options in central defence for Jurgen Klopp, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out injured.
The short-term defensive issues may have been addressed, but there are plenty of other areas to consider for Liverpool’s recruitment department.
Here are the latest transfer rumours for the club rated.
Umtiti turned down move
Who?
Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti
What?
Liverpool reportedly considered signing Umtiti in the January transfer window.
According to The Athletic , the Reds looked into the possibility of making a move for the Barca central defender, but the Frenchman was reluctant to leave Spain.
Liverpool scoured Europe for solutions to their defensive crisis and Umtiti was among those considered, alongside Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car before Davies and Kabak were signed.
The 27-year-old has only recently returned from a knee injury and has made just seven appearances in all competitions this season.
Reds interested in Raphinha
Who?
Leeds United winger Raphinha
What?
Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Raphinha, who has impressed in his debut Premier League season following a £17million move from Rennes in October.
Raphinha has four goals and four assists in 16 league appearances this season and has hit top form in recent weeks.
The 24-year-old has managed two goals and two assists in his last three Premier League games and Football Insider report that the Reds’ scouts have been “blown away” by his performances.
The Brazilian signed a four-year contract with Leeds upon arrival from Rennes, so wouldn’t come cheap if the club were to make a move in the summer transfer window.
Demiral interest is real
Who?
Juventus defender Merih Demiral
What?
Liverpool were interested in Demiral in January, but never submitted a bid to Juventus for the centre-back.
There were apparently claims that Liverpool had bid €50m (£43.86m) for Demiral, but Calciomercato.com, via InsideFutbol , report that Juve were never contacted by the club.
Liverpool were understandably not ready to spend that much during a pandemic and ended up going for the cut-price options of Davies and Kabak.
The report says Liverpool’s interest is genuine and depending on what happens in the remainder of the season, they could revisit the possibility of signing the 22-year-old Turkish international.
