Liverpool Transfers – Three Ins And Outs That Could Happen In The January Transfer Window

The January transfer window has finally arrived and as always, it has brought crazy transfer speculations along with it. Most Premier League clubs will be looking to strengthen their squads and reinforce key areas ahead of the crucial second half of the term.

And second-placed Liverpool will be no different. The Merseysiders have enjoyed a great start to their first full campaign under Jurgen Klopp but they will be looking to sign some players as they go about building a side that will sustain them as they go about in their hunt for the title. And naturally for new players to arrive, the Reds will also look to clear some dead weight from their wage bills.

Here we take a look at three pieces of business that could happen at Anfield this winter window:

In – Virgil van Dijk

The Southampton defender has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield and Liverpool could use the presence of the Dutchman in their backline.

Van Dijk has been one of the best defenders in the league since his move to St. Mary’s and has put in extremely solid displays at the back for the Saints this term as well which has made him the most sought player in the Premier League.

Physical, strong in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet, van Dijk fits the bill perfectly for Klopp’s ideal centre-half and if he does complete the move, he will slot alongside Joel Matip and turn this Liverpool defence into a much stronger unit. However, van Dijk will not come cheaply, with Southampton looking to get at least £50 million for their star man.

Out – Tiago Ilori

The Portuguese defender who was signed back in 2013 has failed to kick-start his Liverpool career and is all set to move permanently away this January with Championship Side Reading the most likely destination for him.

The 23-year old defender spent most of his time at the Merseyside out on loan having had three different loan spells with Granada, Bordeaux and Aston Villa. However, none of the spells were fruitful and will depart from the Merseyside club having only made 3 appearances that too coming in the FA Cup in the 2015-16 season.

Out – Mamadou Sakho

The French defender has been frozen out of the first-team picture completely by manager Jurgen Klopp after the pair fell out in pre-season due to some of the Frenchman’s antics.

Sakho enjoyed a decent spell at Anfield and had become somewhat of a fan favourite but a ban issued by UEFA over a failed drug test, which caused him to miss the Europa League final with Liverpool and the Euro 2016 with France, seems to have derailed his career. He has not made a single appearance for the senior team this term and speaking recently to the press, Klopp admitted that nothing has changed regarding the defender’s status and he will most likely be shipped out in the winter.

Klopp said: “He [Sakho] is not in these plans for the first team. Once again, this actual first-team squad is in this dressing room, from this point of view nobody will be sold.”

“But do you really think I would have said Sakho will not be sold in winter? Nothing has changed.”

And with interest from Galatasaray and Sakho’s former club Paris Saint-Germain, a move away seems likely every minute for the 26-year old.