Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Rodrigo De Paul, Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Simakan, David Carmo latest
The Reds have been badly hit by injuries and Jurgen Klopp will be keen to bolster his squad as he bids to win multiple trophies
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jurgen Klopp will be concentrating on the FA Cup third round tie at Aston Villa tonight, even if Liverpool’s opposition could represent an Under-23 side after Dean Smith’s squad suffered a Covid-19 outbreak.
The Reds needs a result and a performance after a small blip over the festive period, which most recently saw Danny Ings inflict defeat on his former club in a 1-0 win for Southampton.
Liverpool missed out on the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, and second-place rivals Manchester United now have a game in hand as well as the same points tally, while Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are lurking on their shoulders.
It has been a tough start to the campaign for Liverpool, not only due to their wavering results but also the shock of so many injuries to key players including centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Players to have spent significant time on the sidelines also include captain Jordan Henderson, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, summer signing Thiago Alcantara, fellow new recruit Diogo Jota, and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The injuries at centre-back have been particularly damaging, to the point were Klopp is now considering a winter foray into the transfer market. High on his list is Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, who can leave the German champions this summer for free when his contract runs out, though signing him this month may prove too difficult.
Youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have stepped in and performed admirably, but for the Reds to remain on course in Europe and defend their title at home, a new signing could be necessary. A proven centre-back could then boost their hopes of advancing in the Champions League knockouts, where RB Leipzig await in the last 16.
READ MORE: How will Brexit affect the January transfer window?
Here you will find all the latest gossip, rumours and latest transfer news surrounding Anfield in what has been an unprecedented season. While Klopp is keeping his cards close to his chest for now: “We have solutions in the squad - obviously. But we are struggling still with the injuries we have at this specific moment - it is happening most of the time it is in the centre-half position. That's clear. Some players are injured, play pretty quick like Joel [Matip] and get injured again. It just can happen like this, when it starts at one point and just doesn't stop. So we have solutions in the squad but if we can do something in the window - I don't know, it's really like that. It's a very difficult transfer window, I'm sure you can imagine. Not a lot of clubs have real money, some clubs don't have money but don't need money as well - that's the situation.”
PLAYERS RELUCTANT TO JOIN LIVERPOOL
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has revealed that several players are hesitant to join Liverpool because of the status of Jurgen Klopp's first-team regulars.
“A lot of players now don’t want to join Liverpool [and just] play 5, 6, 7 matches, [before] the big ones are coming back from their injuries and then [the new signings] are on the bench for one season or more,” Romano told the Here We Go podcast.
"So, at the moment, Liverpool are still with the same idea: ‘We can stay with this team. If we have an opportunity, OK. If we don’t, we stay with this one’.”
Aston Villa will field a youth team in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool after coronavirus swept through the senior squad.
Aston Villa to field youth team against Liverpool after Covid outbreak
No first-team players will take part in the third-round game at Villa Park
UDINESE: DE PAUL NOT FOR SALE
Udinese’s sporting director Pierpaolo Marino has ruled out Rodrigo De Paul leaving the club this month.
He said: “We are not selling De Paul in January, you don't sell important players like him in January. We have a great relationship with him and have no problems keeping him here with us. I have said for two years that he would have stayed but nobody believed me.”
LIVERPOOL RIVAL LEEDS FOR DE PAUL
Liverpool have entered the race to sign Rodrigo De Paul, who is valued at £40m.
Leeds are also keen, claim The Sun.
The 26-year-old has scored three goals and assisted two more in 15 Serie A games this term.
The Athletic reported earlier in the week that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are unlikely to rekindle their interest from last summer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments