Clause seals $66m signing, Trent Alexander-Arnold unlocked – Dream Liverpool January transfers

Liverpool’s January transfer window presents an opportunity to strengthen its title challenge. According to two of our authors, Jürgen Klopp ought to focus on certain individuals.

Soon, Liverpool and the other Premier League clubs will be able to transact business. Cody Gakpo was previously signed a year ago, before of the transfer market opening, and Jürgen Klopp has already downplayed the likelihood of a deal. But that was before Kostas Tsimikas, who was suspected of breaking his collarbone against Arsenal, was added to the list of injured players.

During his press conference three weeks ago, Klopp said to the media, “In eight years, I’ve never understood this, you always talk about transfers as if it would be the easiest thing in the world.” “I really don’t understand it, so find a player and find the money for it, as if we have endless money.” Everyone, including fans and the media.

“It has to be the perfect player since they are all expensive. Could you name a team that is looking to offload a very good center back? He’s a great center-back because he’s contracted to play for Liverpool, not just any center-back. Why then should we begin that procedure? Joël Matip’s prolonged absence has been known for the past four or five days, which is incredibly unfortunate for us. We’re still down to four center backs, which is fine.

“The team dynamic would have been entirely different and one player would not be engaged if we had a fifth center-back in place earlier. As long as we can stick with these four, everything was ideal, and it is now perfect. If not, the number of upcoming games will make it a little trickier.

“However, it was never a paradise where you could start one elite center back while the other got better. As long as other clubs don’t leave them under the tree for us and tell us to take them and use them for however long we need them, that is… To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought yet, but I don’t think [we’ll sign anyone].”

The demand for a transfer won’t go away in spite of such remarks. Here are some opinions from our writers at Liverpool.com regarding the players the Reds ought to seek in the transfer window. It will be intriguing to watch if Liverpool’s main Premier League title opponents, Arsenal and Manchester City, make any more progress.

A defender is a must and Gonçalo Inácio could be the answer – Matt Addison

I totally see the argument that Liverpool will only recruit players who are ideal both now and down the road, but a defender is essential if they want to have a realistic chance of winning the Premier League this season. It’s not like the replacement would be unnecessary once the defensive injuries heal, especially because Matip’s contractual status is widely known.

Even while it might become more important in the summer, I’m not now all that concerned about signing another midfield player. However, for the foreseeable future, adding a defender seems like a no-brainer. A left-back or left-sided center-back would have been helpful in the summer and will undoubtedly be next summer, and therefore should, if possible, be signed now.

Although Benfica’s António Silva is a gifted player with a high ceiling, Gonçalo Inácio and Piero Hincapié are the obvious left-sided names to have been discussed. However, there are reasons not to sign all of them. None of them are perfect. Just a few months ago, Inácio was more affordable; Hincapié is no longer in demand at Bayer Leverkusen; and Silva would be extremely expensive.

Is it possible for Liverpool to win the league and possibly a few additional titles without acquiring a center-back? It is undoubtedly feasible. But if a summer transfer plan is expedited, the likelihood increases significantly. If Liverpool was going to make a move, I think they would have done so in the last window rather than waiting for this one. However, I would definitely lean toward getting Inácio through the door. His release clause has increased to $66 million (£52 million/€60 million), about fifty percent more.

Jeremie Frimpong can give Trent Alexander-Arnold what he wants – James Findlater

January transfer window should undoubtedly prioritize defenders, and among those who appear to be the strongest bets, Inácio is by far the most likely. With the injury list at Anfield right now, Liverpool most definitely should if it has any hope of closing the deal.

However, if we’re discussing ideal moves, why not consider something that might be considered a luxury rather than just what Liverpool needs? How about a signing that may turn the aspirations of many fans—including Trent Alexander-Arnold himself—who wants to play in midfield into a reality?

As Xabi Alonso has elevated Bayer Leverkusen to new heights, Jeremie Frimpong has been one of the team’s shining lights. He would be Liverpool’s perfect right-back, giving Trent Alexander-Arnold the freedom to play all-out in midfield but also providing a lot of attacking potential at fullback.

If recent rumors about Liverpool having a scout observe Frimpong earlier this month are any indication, Jürgen Klopp may already be keeping an eye on the 23-year-old. When you consider what he could bring to the Reds, he might be a bit of a steal for $45 million (£35 million/€40 million) if the rumored release clause is real.