Deadline Day Liverpool transfer talk news roundup: Duje Caleta-Car, Issa Diop, Ben Davies

The January transfer window is now open, with Liverpool continuing to be linked with a host of big names.

Jurgen Klopp has been forced to contend with a crippling injury crisis during the first half of the season, leading to speculation that the Premier League champions could move for a new defender this month.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings from Anfield.

Monday morning's Liverpool transfer talk news roundup:

Liverpool 'see move for Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car break down'

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Liverpool reportedly came close to signing Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, before agreeing terms with Preston North End's Ben Davies.

Jurgen Klopp's side are keen to sign a centre-back before Monday's transfer deadline due to injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho.

The Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool were very keen on signing Caleta-Car and agreed a deal with the French club over a move.

The 24-year-old was then set to fly to England this weekend and put pen to paper on a contract with the Anfield club, but the plug was pulled at the last minute.

Liverpool decided to turn their attention to Preston defender Davies, and are now believed to have agreed a deal worth £2m for the centre-back.

Youngster Sepp van den Berg is expected to head in the opposite direction on loan to the Championship club for the rest of the season.

Caleta-Car, who joined Marseille in 2018 from Red Bull Salzburg, has made 24 appearances in all competitions this campaign, four of which came in the Champions League.

Liverpool consider move for West Ham United's Issa Diop?

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Liverpool are reportedly considering a last-minute move for West Ham United defender Issa Diop.

The Premier League champions are in the market for a new centre-back after losing Fabinho and Joel Matip to fresh injuries in recent weeks, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez already out for the long term.

West Ham are only two points behind Liverpool in the table as things stand, but Diop - who boasts just four Premier League appearances in the 2020-21 campaign - has found opportunities hard to come by in recent months.

As a result, The Athletic reports that a late move for Diop before Monday's 11pm deadline could be on the cards for Liverpool, and the Reds have already touched base with West Ham over a possible switch.

However, with the two sides neck-and-neck in the Premier League table, the report adds that West Ham would be hesitant to do business unless a proposed loan move includes a £20m obligation to buy in the summer.

Diop remains under contract at the London Stadium until the end of the 2022-23 season, and he is expected to watch from the bench as West Ham take on Liverpool later on Sunday.

More transfer news from Liverpool:

Liverpool 'bidding to sign a centre-back on transfer deadline day'
Virgil Van Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho are on the Reds' treatment table. Read more.

Transfer deadline talking points: Dele Alli wants Tottenham Hotspur exit
Paris St Germain are keen to take the midfielder on loan. Read more.

Liverpool in talks over £2m move for Preston's Ben Davies?
Liverpool identify Preston North End centre-back Ben Davies as an ideal signing before Monday's deadline, with Sepp van den Berg potentially heading the other way. Read more.

Neymar confirms desire to stay at Paris Saint-Germain with Kylian Mbappe
Neymar wants to extend his contract and stay with French champions Paris Saint-Germain and hopes Kylian Mbappe will do the same. Read more.