By Stephen Edmond
The January transfer window has offered Liverpool the opportunity to gain some of their greatest-ever signings, with current first team stars Virgil Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz all acquired in the mid-season market.
With the Reds currently in a very healthy position at the top of the league by three points and still in all the cup competitions, just what signings could potentially be made to continue to bolster their squad, and who could we see leave Anfield before the end of the month?
What Would it take for Liverpool to Sign Inacio?
Ins:
Kylian Mbappe
The potential signing of Kylian Mbappe forever remains one of those rumours that just won’t go away for the Reds, with French journalist Julien Laurens recently relighting the fire by saying: “Liverpool are a team Mbappe really, really likes.”
The French superstar with 18 goals in 16 league appearances this season is expected to leave PSG at the end of the season for free after failing to agree on a contract extension with the League 1 leaders. Real Madrid are widely regarded as the favourite to land Mbappe’s signature, with Foot Mercato stating an agreement was in line with the 25-year-old. However, Mbappe’s camp has today (Monday) stated that there is no agreement on his future, potentially opening up the possibility for Liverpool to snatch up one of the best players on the planet.
One thing that’s clear is that signing Mbappe is a dream rather than an expectation, with most people in agreement he’s destined for the all-white of Madrid. However, with the Liverpool rumours sticking around for years, could it be a case of no smoke without fire? Signing a player of Mbappe’s standards begs a lot of questions; could we afford his wages, what would it mean for the likes of Diaz and Nunez, would Salah have to leave to bring him in? There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding this one, but one thing that is almost certain is this would be one for the summer if the unthinkable were to happen.
Transfer rating – 10/10
Likelihood – 3/10
Andre Trindade
Fluminense midfielder Andre Trindade has been linked with a move to Merseyside since the summer following an approach made by the Reds. Despite opting for the likes of Mac Allister, Endo and Gravenberch instead, Andre is a player who remains on Klopp’s radar. Following the success of Liverpool’s summer midfield incomings, the demand for a holding midfielder may have decreased, however, Andre has previously stated his desire to play in the Premier League with Spurs and Fulham also linked.
The likelihood of Liverpool recruiting the 22-year-old in January is low, with rumours dying down in recent weeks. However, with Endo away at the Asian Cup until mid-February and Szoboszlai expected to be out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, Liverpool do have a track record of making January signings out of the blue, so don’t write this one off just yet. However, most people feel this could still be an area revisited in the summer.
Transfer rating – 8/10
Likelihood – 7/10
Goncalo Inacio
Portuguese international Goncalo Inacio is another player who’s been linked with the Reds since the summer, with Liverpool needing to pay £52 million to activate his release clause. The Sporting CP centre-back is one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe, with Liverpool’s interest seemingly constant. Following Joel Matip’s ACL rupture against Fulham last month, Klopp’s side are a man down in defence, potentially opening a gateway for Liverpool to acquire the 22-year-old this month rather than waiting until the summer to pull the trigger.
One thing Inacio offers that Liverpool lacks in defence is the option of a left-footed centre-back, with the likes of Van Dijk, Konate and Gomez all being right-footed. With Matip’s Liverpool career looking as if it may be over, recruiting another central defender is vital if Liverpool wishes to continue to challenge on all fronts. Whether or not the Reds will dip into the market for Inacio this month is yet to be seen, but it’d be a surprise if Liverpool weren’t to make a bid at some point down the line.
Transfer rating – 9/10
Likelihood – 8/10
‘Gonçalo Inácio would be ready for Liverpool transfer!’ – Portuguese Expert on Reds Target
Outs:
Fabio Carvalho
After recalling Carvalho from his unsuccessful loan spell at RB Leipzig, Fabrizio Romano today (Monday) announced that the 21-year-old will travel to Hull City to complete a loan move until June with no option to buy. The Portuguese under-21 struggled for minutes both last season in Klopp’s side and this season in Germany, with Liverpool hoping Carvalho can gain valuable game time at Hull as he looks to kickstart his career after a difficult 18 months.
Carvalho’s Liverpool career started with promise following a last-minute winner against Newcastle in August 2022, but he soon fell out of favour. It’s clear there is potential there, it’s just a case of maximising it which can only be done through game time. With the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot excelling so far this season, minutes at Anfield aren’t easy to come by, so another loan move for Carvalho seems to be the safest option to get his career back on track.
Transfer rating – 8/10
Likelihood – 10/10
Nat Phillips
Following the end of his loan spell at Celtic, Nat Phillips has returned to the squad. After only 8 appearances in Scotland, it is unclear as of yet whether Phillips will be kept by Klopp as a potential option following Joel Matip’s ACL rupture last month. Klopp said: “He will definitely be with us until the end of the month and then we will have talks and see our situation, that’s how it is.” The Reds will now wait to see what offers come in for the 26-year-old, with first-team places likely to be difficult to come by for Phillips following the success of Jarell Quansah so far this season.
The absenteeism of the likes of Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip in the 20/21 season allowed Phillips the chance to truly showcase his abilities, playing a vital role in Liverpool’s third-place finish that season. However, following loan spells at Bournemouth and Celtic, he’s struggled to make a dent in Klopp’s side since. With Van Dijk and Konate at the top of their game, it’s unlikely Phillips will be receiving minutes any time soon, suggesting another loan move might be the best option for the defender.
Transfer rating – 6/10
Likelihood – 9/10
Rhys Williams
Nat Phillips’ 2021 partner in crime, Rhys Williams, has also returned to Merseyside following an unsuccessful loan spell at Aberdeen. The 22-year-old has also recently experienced loans at Swansea and Blackpool, following his impressive performances for the Reds in the 20/21 campaign. Like Phillips, minutes are not easy to gain in Liverpool’s current defence. Klopp said: “I will have to talk with him about why his loan spell didn’t work out, that was obviously different and the boy I know I would expect to play in Scotland, 100 per cent.”
Williams will now return to the Under-21s, however, another loan spell for the defender wouldn’t be a surprise. Along with Phillips, it’s likely Liverpool will weigh up their options to decide what’s best for Williams. But with game time expected to be very limited at Anfield, Williams is at an age where he needs minutes to develop, indicating another loan may be on the cards for the young defender.
Transfer rating – 6/10
Likelihood – 9/10
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Redmen Reacts
The ability of Liverpool to successfully rebuild a midfield in just one summer transfer window is a feat that has maybe gone under the radar outside of Anfield. The question now is what area Liverpool targets next. The obvious answer is defence, with Matip looking as if he’s played his last match for the club and Van Dijk unfortunately not getting any younger, going after a young and versatile Inacio seems to be the sensible move as Klopp continues to build his Liverpool 2.0.
As for the midfield, another player to rotate with the likes of Mac Allister and Endo wouldn’t do any harm, particularly when that player is a 22-year-old Brazilian international. Klopp’s track record working with Brazilians is exceptional, so it will be exciting to see if he’ll opt to take another under his wing.
Although the likes of Inacio and Andre seem more likely for the summer, stranger things have happened with Liverpool in the January transfer windows. It will be exciting to see just what steps Liverpool make in the remainder of the month.
In terms of outgoings, a Championship loan move for Carvalho seems to be good business to ensure him game time, something he’s had very little of over 18 months. Whilst Phillips and Williams are also in need of minutes, another loan move seems to be the smart short-term option for them.
And as for Mbappe, until he’s pictured holding a Real Madrid top, that dream won’t die.
