Liverpool’s need for further reinforcements in January was only proven further as Luis Diaz succumbed to an injury which will sideline the Colombia international for three months.
Diaz's injury followed a poor weekend for the Reds, as they succumbed to defeat against French side Lyon. It may have only been a friendly but a second half collapse in Dubai against a team that had suffered a heavy defeat to Arsenal just days before showed the work that improvements are needed for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the second half of the season.
And that may well mean turning to the transfer market. The latest reports suggest that the Reds are no longer in the running to sign one of their top targets but Premier League star James Maddison has suddenly emerged as a target. Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of Anfield…
Maddison becomes top target
Leicester midfielder James Maddison has lit up the Premier League once again this season and has now become a ‘top target’ for Liverpool, according to reports.
The Foxes declined over the past 18 months after challenging for the top four in consecutive seasons and, despite winning the FA Cup in 2021, are struggling to maintain their high standards, with Maddison now likely to leave as he enters the peak of his career.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Maddison has become a ‘top target’ for Liverpool, although they also state that the England international is high on the list of priorities for both Manchester United and Newcastle.
Should Liverpool make a move for James Maddison in January? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Reds suffer Laimer blow
Liverpool have been handed a huge blow in the pursuit of signing one of their midfield targets after it was revealed that RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer has reached an agreement to join Bayern Munich next summer.
The Austrian international was linked with the Reds back in the summer until Arthur Melo was snapped up on a short-term deal from Juventus, but it seemed as though the Reds could look to return their attention to the Leipzig man in January.
However, the Reds are no longer in the running to sign the 25-year-old after he reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the Bundesliga giants to join them upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.
Liverpool back in for Championship star?
Liverpool are once again being linked with a move for Sheffield United’s Sander Berge as Klopp looks to bolster his midfield.
The Reds were said to have been keen on the Norwegian over the summer but a deal failed to materialise, but due to his relatively cheap price in comparison to a number of other targets, Liverpool could look to finally secure his signature in January.
According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Liverpool could ‘go on the offensive’ next month to get a deal over the line. However, the report also states that they will have to compete with Chelsea, with both sides expecting several midfield departures next summer.
