Liverpool have four January options after 'lucky' Jurgen Klopp saved £175m

Liverpool have shown in previous years a willingness to delve into the murky world of the January transfer window, to make necessarry squad enhancements.

This is despite the fact that manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken out on several occasions about the complexity and financial embelishment of the mid-season, and the Reds are poised to do early year business once again.

In January 2023 Liverpool concluded an astute piece of negotiating to bring Cody Gakpo to Anfield and kill off the advances of both Manchester United and Leeds, while 12 months prior a similar battle plan was carried out to seize Luis Diaz from the clutches of Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, with holes appearing across the Liverpool XI – most pressingly in defence – Klopp and the Liverpool chiefs are expecting to lay out the chequebook once again.

Just this week Klopp has appeared to aim provocative barbs at arch rivals Chelsea, who beat the Reds to the punch for the summer transfers of both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia for a combined £175m. The latter is yet to make an appearance for the Blues, while Caicedo has been underwhelming as Mauricio Pochettino’s side have faltered badly and sit in 12th place heading into the festive period.

Klopp appeared to mock Chelsea by suggesting Liverpool somewhat dodged a bullet with the high price signings, as quoted by the Daily Mail saying: ““The summer we had a few strange things happen in the transfer market but here, between us, I can say, ‘My god, were we lucky, eh?’”

Now, given that the Reds hypothetically saved almost £200m by failing to bring in Caicedo and Lavia over the summer, it can be concluded that cash is available to spend throughout January at Anfield, and Klopp has a select list of options which will take his primary focus. Express Sport takes a closer look…

Goncalo Inacio

I’s no secret that Liverpool must bolster the centre of defence. It was already a requirement before the recent news of Joel Matip’s unfortunate ACL injury which now rules him out for the remainder of the season, but now it stands as a vital must-tick box.

Liverpool will be joined by the likes of Chelsea in scouring the market for centre backs, as they look to replace the ageing Thiago Silva. Manchester United, likewise, are assessing options with Raphael Varane likely to depart and Harry Maguire still not trusted by manager Erik ten Hag.

All three clubs have been closely monitoring Sporting Lisbon starlet Goncalo Inacio, who has caught the attention of Europe’s elite.

Liverpool are understood to have spent a two-year stint scouting Inacio and collecting data on the 22-year-old, who has a a €60m (£51.5m) release clause in his contract.

It is likely much more than Liverpool had been willing to pay, though it does guarantee a sure-fire way of wrapping up a deal and fighting off the competition for a player viewed as a potential generational talent.

Andre Trindade

The name on the lips of most Liverpool fans. Andre was tracked relentlessly by the Reds in the summer, although the Brazilian’s club Fluminense made it explictly clear that no bids would be entertained due to their run in the Copa Libertadores.

Andre was a vital cog in the run, which ended in dream fashion with victory in the final.

Mission accomplished, it is now understood that Fluminense are willing to sit at the negotiation table and strike a deal.

In recent weeks reports have distanced Liverpool from the move due to the proposed fresh interest of rivals Manchester United, while Premier League battlers Fulham are also said to be pressing hard for a deal.

Many cynics would say this is simply expert work from Fluminense and the agents involved in attempting to whip up a bidding war out of nowehere, but do not expect Liverpool’s interest to have fizzled away.

Pedro Neto

The Wolves winger is back to his red hot best, and is set for heaps more improvement given he is just 23 years of age.

Neto has already proven he is more than able to handle Premier League football, and can be unplayable on his day when clicking into top gear at Molineux.

While a January move would be almost impossible, Liverpool do need to make some quick considerations in the event that Mohamed Salah is swayed by Saudi Arabian advances in the summer.

A mind-blowing bid from the Middle East is soon expected to arrive at the Anfield boardrooms, with figures comfortably over the £150m mark mooted.

Salah only has one year remaining on his Liverpool agreement, and Neto matches the profile of the type of player Liverpool have consistently tried to buy under Klopp and turn into a world megastar.

Max Kilman

Another central defender who has certainly been observed by the Merseysiders is Wolves strongman Max Kilman. As with Neto, Liverpool may well hold an air of confidence over conducting mid-season business with Wolves, given the relationship between the two clubs is strong.

Liverpool wrapped up an instant and cordial deal with the Midlands club to acquire the services of Diogo Jota several transfer windows ago, and also sanctioned the departure of highly rated starlet Kijana Hoever to Molineux.

The 26-year-old Kilman has quietly gone about his business at Wolves since being plucked from non-league Maidenhead United for a fee of £40,000, going from strength to strength and making a name for himself. Reigning Italian champions Napoli were reported to have a £30m offer for the star waved away at the end of the summer.

Kilman, now the Wolves captain after the departure of Ruben Neves, would certainly command huge money in January. Though he does already have the approval of an Anfield icon.

Discussing the defender in March, Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports: “Max Kilman at the back for Wolves, an ever-present all season. He’s no-frills at centre back, he just gets on with his job and very rarely makes mistakes, hence why he’s an automatic pick no matter who the manager is.”