Premier League fans have been privy to two rounds of fixtures since Christmas day, which can only mean we’re on the verge of the official opening of the January transfer window.
Admittedly, it’s been a bit of an anticlimax in recent years with few major deals materialising. But amid potentially the most unpredictable and outrageous Premier League season of all time, many expect to see a significant uplift of transfer activity to kick off 2016.
Despite regular insistences otherwise from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool could well prove to be the Premier League’s busiest club. The German gaffer will be desperate to imprint his own image on the Anfield squad, which means plenty of business on both the inward and outward fronts.
But the transfer rumour columns have never been the most reliable source of information, their tales seemingly getting taller the closer we get to the transfer window. So hoping to dispel a few myths and provide a handful of truths, here are Liverpool’s FIVE likeliest January transfers.
MARKO GRUJIC
Let’s start with what we already know. Red Star Belgrade prodigy Marko Grujic appears to be all-but-officially a Liverpool player, with the Serbian outfit claiming last week that they’ve accepted a bid from the Merseysiders.
Many have dubbed the teenage midfielder ‘the new Nemanja Matic’ due to his shared nationality and lofty 6 foot 3 frame, whilst others have compared him to Juventus talisman Paul Pogba.
Chelsea, Manchester United and a host of Serie A clubs have all taken a look at Grujic this season, so the 19-year-old could prove to be a real coup at a reported cost of £5.1million.
But the seemingly agreed deal will likely see the towering centre-mid loaned back to Red Star until the end of the season. Furthermore, the Serbia U21’s father isn’t so happy about his son moving to the Premier League and has reportedly hidden his passport.
JOSE ENRIQUE
On the outward front, ostracised full-back Jose Enrique seems the likeliest to leave Anfield next month.
He’s made just twelve Premier League appearances for the Reds since the end of the 2012/13 campaign and even the recent change in management hasn’t bettered the Spaniard’s fortunes, as he continues to await his first outing of the season.
With Joe Gomez out until the summer, cover at left-back is a concern. But Jon Flanagan is back on the mend whilst Emre Can and Mamadou Sakho both featured at No.3 for their former employers, Bayer Leverkusen and PSG respectively, so there are certainly a few emergency candidates who could fill the void.
Likewise, the 29-year-old’s contract is now into its final six months – meaning January will be Liverpool’s last chance to recoup some of their original investment before losing him for free in the summer.
NEVEN SUBOTIC
It seems almost inevitable Jurgen Klopp will try to bring at least one Borussia Dortmund star to Anfield in January and logic suggests Neven Subotic is the likeliest candidate.
Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren are still yet to truly convince at centre-half and Liverpool have the third-worst defensive record in the Premier League’s top ten – so an injection of Champions League quality in their backline certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Furthermore, in terms of an on-pitch general who can help implement Klopp’s philosophy, the German gaffer couldn’t ask for much better than the Serbian international, who not only worked under him at Westfalenstadion but also former club Mainz.
Likewise, a string of recurring injury problems has seen Subotic plummet down the pecking order at Dortmund this season, with Greek international Sokratis taking his usual spot alongside Mats Hummels. With his contract due to expire the season after next, the Black-Yellows could probably be tempted into selling.
JOEL MATIP
Another centre-back reportedly on the Liverpool’s radar is Schalke’s Joel Matip, in no small part due to his apparent availability.
The versatile Cameroon international has spent much of his Miners career jostling between midfield and the back but has found strong form operating exclusively at centre-half this season, averaging 1.5 tackles, 3.3 interceptions 4.8 clearances and 3.6 successful aerial duels per match.
A fantastic athlete who can play in several positions and boasts a respectable level of quality in possession, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a top club launch a cut-price bid for the 24-year-old in January with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
He’d certainly be a useful addition at Liverpool, but a number of clubs seem to have one eye on the 6 foot 4 defender at the moment.
LUCAS MOURA
Liverpool’s squad lacks a out-and-out winger, with the exception of inexperienced youngster Jordon Ibe, and rumour has it PSG are looking to sell Lucas Moura in January – a regular target for the Premier League’s top clubs.
The Brazil international hasn’t quite lived up to his billing since joining the Parc de Princes ranks in January 2013 and often found himself enduring the role of super-sub – especially in the Champions League.
Already 19 points clear at Ligue 1’s summit, Laurent Blanc’s side can certainly afford to sell in the coming transfer window, even though the 23-year-old’s contract doesn’t expire until 2019.
The £22million-rated winger is the kind of ‘marquee signing’ Brendan Rodgers continually failed to bring to Anfield and his notorious pace would undoubtedly cause huge problems for Premier League defences.
Liverpool’s biggest competition for his signature, however, comes from northwest rivals Manchester United.
