{"id":283576,"date":"2018-11-09T14:10:54","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T19:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=283576"},"modified":"2018-11-09T14:11:19","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T19:11:19","slug":"liverpools-transfer-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/11\/09\/liverpools-transfer-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Are Liverpool’s Transfer Targets This January?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, Liverpool<\/a> boss J\u00fcrgen Klopp dismissed the idea of any significant incomings at Anfield in January. That, however, was before the Reds were humiliated away at Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Despite remaining unbeaten in the Premier League this season, the 2-0 defeat in Serbia was just the latest disappointing showing in what has been a fairly lacklustre start to the season for the Merseyside club.<\/p>\n

Klopp is known to spring a surprise or two where transfers are concerned and his side\u2019s inability to replicate last season\u2019s form may encourage the German to delve into the transfer market this winter. So, who could Klopp have his eye on this January?<\/p>\n

Who Are Liverpool’s Transfer Targets This January?<\/h1>\n

Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9<\/h2>\n

Ousmane Demb\u00e9le has endured a rather indifferent start to life at Barcelona<\/a>. Since the Frenchman\u2019s \u00a3103 million move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017, Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 has shown glimpses of his undoubted ability, but those glimpses have been too few and far between.<\/p>\n

It has led to question marks over Dembele\u2019s suitability for Barcelona. In recent weeks, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has opted for the selection of Rafinha and Philippe Coutinho in wide areas as Lionel Messi recovers from a broken arm. Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s fringe involvement at the Camp Nou has sparked rumours of a January exit, and Liverpool are just one of many elite European clubs who have been linked with the mercurial winger.<\/p>\n

What will appeal to J\u00fcrgen Klopp is the 21-year-old\u2019s ability to operate down either flank. Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s versatility and ability with both feet will offer Klopp more tactical freedom and unpredictability going forward. The over-reliance on Roberto Firmino to not only score goals but create them too has become clear this season as the Brazilian has hit something of a slump – only scoring on four occasions. The acquisition of Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 would allow Klopp to ease the burden on Firmino, instead playing Sadio Man\u00e9 or Mo Salah centrally and Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 wide in a fluid system that could also incorporate Xherdan Shaqiri.<\/p>\n

Nicol\u00f2 Barella<\/h2>\n

After missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Italian national team was in need of an urgent rebuild. Cagliari midfielder Nicol\u00f2 Barella could be at the centre of that very rebuild. The 21-year-old burst onto the scene last season with Cagliari, scoring six times as the Sardinian club just steered clear of relegation.<\/p>\n

The Cagliari-born ace has acquired the nickname the \u2018Sardinian Steven Gerrard\u2019 and it\u2019s not hard to see why. Aggressive in his pursuit of the ball, and then efficient in possession, Barella represents the ideal modern-day midfielder. It would seem newly installed Italy manager Roberto Mancini is in agreement. Barella has started the last two Italy games, playing in a midfield three alongside the more esteemed pair, Jorginho and Marco Verratti. Barella\u2019s involvement with the Azzurri is a testament to his development at Cagliari, but it is simply a matter of when, and not if, Italy\u2019s most coveted midfielder leaves his Sardinian home.<\/p>\n

Barella\u2019s performances in Serie A and subsequent Italian caps have alerted the likes of Juventus, AC Milan<\/a>, Inter Milan, Roma and namely Liverpool. Whilst Liverpool are currently well-stocked in midfield following the summer arrivals of Naby Ke\u00efta and Fabinho, the uncertain futures of James Milner and Adam Lallana could force J\u00fcrgen Klopp to act quickly in January. Milner\u2019s contract is set to expire this summer and as Lallana\u2019s influence on games continues to diminish. A Ke\u00efta-style deal could be in the offing that sees Liverpool agreeing a deal with Cagliari in January for a summer transfer.<\/p>\n

Nabil Fekir<\/h2>\n

Nabil Fekir\u2019s failed moved to Liverpool in the summer was probably the most confusing and mysterious transfer saga in recent times. It appeared the Lyon captain was all-but a Liverpool player, only for the deal to fall-through at the eleventh hour. There is also evidence to suggest that Fekir\u2019s Anfield move was so advanced that he actually completed an interview for the club website donning the famous Liverpool red.<\/p>\n

However, for whatever reason, Liverpool pulled the plug and Fekir remains a Lyon player, for now. J\u00fcrgen Klopp has a habit of resurrecting deals for players that he feels would drastically improve his team. Naby Ke\u00efta and Virgil van Dijk both arrived at Anfield after proposed moves in previous windows didn\u2019t materialise, and it would be no surprise if Klopp and Liverpool revisited the Fekir deal this January.<\/p>\n

Liverpool fans were understandably disappointed as Fekir remained at Lyon in the summer, as there was a feeling that he was the last-piece in the Liverpool puzzle. The Lyon attacking midfielder represents what is probably the closest like-for-like alternative to Roberto Firmino in world football. Much like Firmino did at his former club TSG Hoffenheim, Fekir plays predominantly as a number ten behind the striker and the World Cup winner has also played as the focal point in attack.<\/p>\n

Once again, it is clear Fekir\u2019s offensive versatility is something that appeals to Klopp. Fekir\u2019s ability to operate as a striker, a number ten and also potentially in a deeper midfield role ensure he\u2019s not only the perfect alternative to Firmino but also an ideal replacement for the long-since departed Philippe Coutinho.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>