Liverpool have almost certainly looked at central midfielders that could strengthen their chances of winning the Premier League title ahead of the January transfer window, according to Reds expert David Lynch.
Arne Slot's side sit atop the Premier League table, eight points ahead of second-placed Nottingham Forest, nine points in front of third-placed Arsenal and 10 points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Their 5-0 win against West Ham United on Sunday was another reminder to the rest of the division that the Merseysiders are undoubtedly the team to beat.
However, Joe Gomez was withdrawn before the half-time interval against the Hammers as a result of an apparent hamstring injury, meaning that Liverpool's only available options at centre-back are Jarell Quansah and Virgil van Dijk.
While some fans believe that January could be a good opportunity to strengthen in defence, Lynch told Sports Mole that the Reds are far more likely to strengthen in midfield, saying: "It'd be foolish to say they're not going to do anything. They have a very good record in January, and if the right opportunity presents itself, they've shown previously [that they've] made some good signings in this period, so no chance of ruling [transfers] out.
"There's a lot of talk about signing a defender, but I'm not so sure about that - I don't think [Liverpool will] go into this window thinking that's a desperate need [to strengthen in defence] because Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are close [to a return], they've got Tsimikas back now.
"They've got four centre-halves and two full-backs - that should be enough to get [them] through, and I know left-back is an area that they want to look at in the summer, but I think they will wait until then. The one area that I'm most convinced there is a possibility in this window is central midfield, but it depends on a few things."
Liverpool failed in their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi in the summer transfer window, and despite the form of Ryan Gravenberch at the base of midfield, it is clear that Slot and the club would ideally like to reinforce in the middle of the pitch.
Will Liverpool go back in for Martin Zubimendi?
Although Liverpool have built a substantial lead at the top of the Premier League table and can afford to drop points, Slot has so far shown that he only trusts four of the Reds' current midfield group to start league matches.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Gravenberch have featured often for Slot this season in the top flight, but Wataru Endo has not started a single Premier League match and has only played 61 minutes for the Dutchman in the league.
Given Liverpool were close signing Zubimendi, it is plausible that he would have been a regular in the XI, but Lynch believes that the Reds would be willing to wait until the summer to sign him, telling Sports Mole: "If they think they can get Zubimendi in the summer, I'm sure they will just wait because [Liverpool] think he's perfect. They've gone for him before. They know everything about the player and they really like him.
"If they already know it's going to be a battle with someone like Real Madrid and they're not given any assurances - [or] the player may not even want to move - then there's every chance that they've had a look at other central midfielders who could fulfil that role, and if that person is available in January, I think they would go for it.
"I've seen links to [Samuele Ricci] he's playing in Serie A. I'm not sure about that profile-wise. [He] makes sense age-wise, but I'm not sure about the player. [Liverpool have] got to be convinced it's someone who's nailed on quality-wise to make a difference, and [the club] won't take a gamble."
Slot has so far managed to rotate his four midfield starters well, ensuring that they get the rest needed to perform at their best, but perhaps it would be wise to at least give Endo more minutes should Liverpool reach the latter stages of the Champions League and FA Cup.
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Do Liverpool need any January transfers?
Liverpool's hierarchy could have a busy January on their hands beyond just transfers given Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will be free to talk to clubs abroad from the first of next month, and it would be understandable if sorting new deals for the trio took precedence over new additions.
However, Lynch told Sports Mole that the Reds will remain vigilant in the transfer window and act opportunistically should their ideal targets become available.
Lynch said: "I think numbers-wise, that midfield could do with another who the manager fully trusts. So that is the area that feels most likely in January and is a real possibility, but it just depends on if you can't get Zubimendi in January, can you get him in summer?
"If [Liverpool aren't] sure they can get him in, who's their alternative that they've now had time to identify, and can they get them in January? Those are the moving parts around it.
"It's got to be someone who moves the dial for this team, so it's just a question of whether that player's available. In terms of names, very quiet at the moment, but if they do pop up, then all of a sudden the deal's done. It does happen like that. It moves very quickly."
Regardless of whether Liverpool welcome any new players to the club in the 2025 winter window, fans have plenty of reason to believe that the second half of 2024-25 can be as successful as the first.
Lewis Nolan
