The January transfer window is edging toward its conclusion with Liverpool making one addition so far this month after Cody Gakpo swapped Eindhoven for Merseyside.
The Netherlands striker has arrived at Anfield at a tough time. The Reds have lost to Brentford and Brighton and drew with Chelsea in the Premier League to kick-off 2023 and are currently 10 points away from the Champions League places. The FA Cup has offered some respite, winning at Wolves in a third-round replay to set-up a fourth-round trip to Brighton, where Jurgen Klopp's side will look to avenge their recent 3-0 league loss.
Against that backdrop, Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group continue to welcome interest over a partial or even a full sale of the club, which comes amid calls from supporters to bolster Klopp's injury-hit squad, particularly in midfield.
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Little wonder, then, there were a number of issues for our chief Liverpool writer, Ian Doyle, to discuss in the ECHO's latest question and answer session with Reds supporters.
Here's a recap...
FSG and their attempts to sell Liverpool
Seanr: Hi Ian, do you believe FSG have realised this model is not sustainable and will sell the club in full rather than hoping for a minority stake investment as is being reported, which, as we have seen previously with the Red Bird investment, the club wouldn't see any of?
Ian Doyle: FSG will be spending money - and quite a bit of it - on midfielders in the summer. But that they are open to a sale or investment shows they know they need more funds to compete with the likes of Manchester City and now Newcastle United. FSG would prefer a minority stake investment as that might well be sufficient to bolster the squad in the manner it needs.
Why Cody Gakpo before a midfielder?
THE5PIAN: Surely if we can all see the need for midfielders then Klopp and his staff can. Is there any particular reason these positions haven't been addressed yet? Why Gakpo before a midfielder?
Ian Doyle: They would have preferred to sign Gakpo in the summer but, as with Diaz last January, went early to bring him in. Partly due to a rival team sniffing about, in this case Manchester United. Also, Gakpo's decent World Cup meant there was a danger his value could become a bit too exorbitant. The midfielders they want clearly aren't available in January unless something changes in the next five days.
I'd imagine they will have thought in the summer there are plenty of midfielders already on the books - 12 have started a game in midfield for Liverpool this season - and, once they could not get Tchouameni, decided to stick with Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain as options rather than look to sell them before their contracts run out. Regardless, Liverpool will be signing two or three midfielders in the summer. They know they are going to be massively short in that area in a few months.
Nat Phillips future
jotohl: A strange report mentioned that if Nat Phillips heads out the door that a short-term loan would be explored? Seems strange but any truth in it?
Ian Doyle: Well, there's definitely interest in Phillips from a number of clubs and Liverpool are expecting it to become concrete before Tuesday's deadline. That's why the Reds chose to recall Rhys Williams from his loan at Blackpool as extra cover. It would be slightly surprising if it's a loan again, but Phillips is under contract for a few years yet and possibly time in the shop window will aid a sale in the summer. We shouldn't rule it out.
The defensive midfield position
Haroldmoose: Hello Ian, do you think that Bajcetic, Morton (returning from Blackburn) will rotate with Fabinho in the 6 next year, meaning that LFC will target only 8s in the summer? Also, to what extent do you think that Sepp van den Berg will replace Gomez as fourth choice next year, given the need to raise funds in the summer (given that Gomez and Kelleher are our only sellable assets of value)?
Ian Doyle: The defensive midfield position is an interesting one. I definitely think Henderson was going to assume the Milner role from next season - not a regular starter but filling in when required - but I don't think Liverpool anticipated both him and Fabinho losing form quite so drastically this season. It has opened the door for Bajcetic, though. Morton I regard more as a box-to-box midfielder, and I do think he will be in the squad next season. Van den Berg is a curious one - how he recovers from his injury could determine what happens next in his Liverpool career. The Reds will definitely be taking note.
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