Jurgen Klopp has already completed a year at Anfield and has helped the Liverpool side to the top of the table with 10 games into the new season. Their 4-2 victory at Selhurst Park recently extended their unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions and it now looks like they are genuine title contenders going into the busy part of the season. The summer purchases from Klopp in the form of Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Gini Wijnaldum have adjusted well to the life at the club while Dejan Lovren, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have managed to continue their impressive form. Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson have been standout players while Nathaniel Clyne and makeshift left-back James Milner have been solid providing some mettle at the back. But there is a feeling that the squad at Klopp’s disposal might not be completely at a title-winning level, so let’s take a look at whether the Reds need any additions to their defense, midfield or attack in January:
Defense:
Loris Karius has not looked extremely convincing but has taken up the mantle from Simon Mignolet with some confidence. He is a long term solution and keeps the Reds out of the market for a keeper. Clyne and Matip on the right half of the defense have been extraordinary for the club this season while James Milner has also excelled in a new role, chipping in with important contributions. Dejan Lovren is a much-improved player under Jurgen Klopp but his mistakes against Palace showed why is might not be the right man to lead Liverpool forward.
But with Ragnar Klavan also waiting in the shed, it is hard to see Klopp adding to his centre-backs in January. Trent Alexander Arnold and Connor Randall are backups for Clyne and will not have any competition while Moreno will be fighting for his place with James Milner leaving no urgent need for personnel changes in January. That being said, Klopp will know that he can make it stronger but will wait till the end of the season before spending on a defender.
Midfield:
The biggest headaches for the manager comes at the midfield area. With Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana doing a superb job so far this season, Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can are fighting for one place in the side while Lucas Leiva and Kevin Stewart are two defense-minded substitutes that can cover when required. That is not great quality for backup and the manager will surely be on the look out of players who are unhappy at their current club to add to his squad. The likes of Mahmoud Dahoud are extensively linked with a move to Anfield and Klopp might decide to spend if the right targets are available in January.
Attack:
The biggest strength of the side, their attack, hardly needs any additions. Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings are the strikers preferred in that order by Klopp. Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane are the two wide men as a part of the front three giving the manager plenty of options in the final third. Mane’s pace as a genuine winger has been a welcome addition to the squad and Klopp might be on the look out of a similar player who can do a similar job on the other flank. Surely, they don’t need any first team replacements in attack and will be happy with the options they have going forward this season.
Klopp has time and again revealed that he will not spend for the sake of it and that he will only splash the cash if the player completely fits the bill at the club. So it is clear that Klopp will be on the look out for talent in the January transfer window and will not hesitate to spend big if the right kind of a player is up for grabs.
Do you think Liverpool need any addition to their squad in the January transfer window?
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