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Liverpool transfer analysis: Will Alex Teixeira sign and is he what the club need in January?

With the January transfer window nearly over, we assess what Liverpool have done, what they need and what could still happen 

Mark Critchley
Thursday 28 January 2016 16:04 GMT
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A view of Anfield
A view of Anfield (GETTY IMAGES)

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?

It’s been a relatively quiet January transfer window but Liverpool have been the busiest of the Premier League’s ‘top’ clubs. You could argue they needed to be. Jurgen Klopp’s side started the month with a wretched injury record and it only became worse, as hamstrings snapped all over the shop.

Steven Caulker was brought in on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season to remedy a lack of options in central defence but, since moving a few weeks ago, he’s mostly been used to plug gaps in attack.

Young and highly-rated midfielder Marko Grujic also arrived at Anfield, only to soon move back to former club Red Star Belgrade on loan. The Serbian will not pull on a Liverpool shirt until at least next season.

INS

Steven Caulker from QPR - loan

Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade - £4.9m

OUTS

Marko Grujic to Red Star Belgrade - loan

Marko Grujic (Getty)

WHAT DO THEY NEED?

The squad needs an overhaul and should get one in the summer, when Klopp will be granted the time and the money to make his mark. Until then, another centre-back would not go amiss, given none of the current crop have a decent fitness record.

The infamous transfer committee seems to be focusing up front, though, and not without reason given Liverpool’s struggles to find the net.

WHAT MIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPEN?

Chief executive Ian Ayre has spent the last few days in the United States, where he is trying to negotiate a suitable price for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira.

The potential signing of the 26-year-old Brazilian has excited many supporters on Merseyside and it bodes well that he apparently wants to join the club, but the Ukrainian side’s stubbornness over a £38m price tag makes things difficult.

It could still happen though, as could a deal which brings Schalke 04 centre-back Joel Matip in on a free transfer when his current contract expires this summer.

WHO HAVE LIVERPOOL BEEN LINKED WITH?

Do you think Liverpool will sign anyone before the close of the window? Who would you like to see arrive at Anfield? Let us know in the comments below.

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