With the January transfer window a little more than six weeks away from opening, the rumour mill is slowly cranking up to full throttle.
Liverpool are sure to be linked with countless central defenders over the next few weeks as the club comes to terms with having to be without both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for much of the current season due to knee injuries.
Jurgen Klopp has proved he is unafraid of putting inexperienced players into his backline, but, as the Reds went into the season light of a senior centre-back, a move for one in January now looks inevitable.
And here's our round-up of the latest transfer gossip and news surrounding Liverpool.
Thiaw flattered by interest
Liverpool's search for a new centr-back has taken them to German club Schalke, and two potential signings from the Bundesliga side have been identified.
While Ozan Kabak may be the more familiar defender to fans, the Reds have also been reportedly monitoring his young deputy, Malick Thiaw.
And according to sport.de , the 19-year-old is flattered by their interest, even if he doesn’t see himself moving on just yet.
“Of course you’re happy when big clubs are after you, but it was actually clear to me that I would stay at Schalke,” he said.
That might be his intention at things stand, but Thiaw might have a decision to make if Liverpool step up their supposed interest in him.
Ajax slap big fee on Liverpool target
If the Reds are unable to prise a centre-back away from Schalke, they may move their search to the Netherlands.
Ajax defender Perr Schuurs, who Liverpool came up against in the Champions League, is drawing interest from across the continent.
Both Milan clubs, as well as the Reds, are said to be signing the player who is widely considered to be the next Matthijs de Ligt.
Ajax do not want to lose him on the cheap though, and according to PianetaMilan, they have stated they are not willing to begin negotiating his sale for less than €30million.
Will Liverpool have money available in January?
It’s easy to state Liverpool should sign new players in January, particularly in defence, but will they actually have the funds to complete the deals they wish?
Simon Hughes of The Athletic has been speaking on the Ornstein & Chapman Podcast, and from what he had to say, Liverpool’s supporters may have to reign in their expectations for signings in January.
“I don’t think Liverpool can really necessarily afford to go and splurge a huge sum of money at this moment in time,” he said.
That’s not what Kopites wanted to hear from somebody who is in the know, Simon.
