While there remains uncertainty over the possibility of the African Cup of Nations being held as scheduled, Jurgen Klopp will need to boost his squad in the January window whatever happens.
Liverpool are mounting a Premier League title challenge this season, but their squad does appear to be thinner than rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.
That is set to see them become active in the winter window, especially in the attacking areas of the pitch, having failed to replace the departed Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer.
But Klopp will have to make good use of what is a relatively small budget compared to the Reds’ main rivals for top players.
Here, Mirror Football rounds up the latest Liverpool transfer news…
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should be Liverpool's top target in the January transfer window? Comment below.
Dybala blow
Liverpool had been thought to be one of the clubs eyeing a possible move for Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
The Argentine has become arguably Juve’s most important player since the summer exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring eight goals so far this season.
But his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, which has interested the Reds, among others.
Klopp’s men look likely to be dealt a blow in his hopes of signing the attacker though, with Sky Italia reporting he is set to put pen to paper on a new deal in Turin.
It is stated that Dybala’s agent has flown into Italy to come to an agreement on the ‘final bureaucratic details’ but the contract has been finalised.
He will extend his stay until the summer of 2026, with Dybala set to sign ahead of the winter window, when he would otherwise be free to come to a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.
Bellingham move hailed
Jude Bellingham is being heavily tipped with a move to Liverpool and former Premier League star Noel Whelan believes he would be the perfect signing for the Reds.
The England international has starred for Borussia Dortmund, attracting a host of top-flight sides, but Whelan believes Liverpool should go all out to sign him.
“I think Jude Bellingham suits Liverpool down to the ground. Wow, he’d be an amazing signing for them,” he told Football Insider.
“When you look at the age of their midfield, Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho – they’re getting to the back end of their careers.
“It would be a really exciting addition to that pool of players, and he’s someone who would have that longevity at the club and get better and better.
“I can see him really succeeding under Jurgen Klopp, he’s very well-suited to their style of play and would complement their front three perfectly.”
Gerrard’s hands-off warning
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been warned against making a move for current Reds star Joe Gomez in January.
Gomez has played just twice in the Premier League this season after suffering a serious knee injury last term, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and stalwart Virgil van Dijk preferred at the heart of defence.
Aston Villa, who Gerrard now manages, were thought to be lining up a loan move for the young Englishman.
But Reds boss Klopp has warned Gerrard and Villa that he will not be sanctioning any departure for Gomez this winter.
“It was obviously not the best year for him, but that's how it goes,” Klopp told a press conference on Wednesday.
“We are patient, and Joe is patient. I have no plans to give anybody on loan in the winter.”
