Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'set aside cash for big-money January signing'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 October 2022

Liverpool reportedly set aside a hefty chunk of cash for a big-money January signing amid their underwhelming start to the 2022-23 season.

Liverpool are reportedly keeping a hefty chunk of cash in reserve for a big-money signing during the January transfer window.

The Reds limited themselves to just three permanent signings in the summer window, bringing in Fabio Carvalho, Calvin Ramsay and Darwin Nunez.

However, Ramsay is yet to play a competitive game for Liverpool after arriving with a back injury, while Nunez has flattered to deceive since his £64m move from Benfica.

After holding off on signing a new central midfielder throughout the summer, a wave of injuries forced Jurgen Klopp's hand as Arthur Melo arrived on loan from Juventus on deadline day.

The ex-Barcelona man has also spent the past few weeks building up his match fitness, and Liverpool have been expected to spend big on a new midfielder at the end of the season.

England's Jude Bellingham pictured on September 26, 2022 © Reuters

Now, Football Insider claims that Liverpool could instead splash the cash in the January transfer window as Klopp seeks a quick fix to his side's underwhelming start to the campaign.

The report adds that Klopp and co will still be tasked with picking out an ideal player, but Fenway Sports Group would then be willing to fund a lucrative mid-season deal.

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham remains a top target for the Reds, but the Black and Yellows are highly unlikely to sanction a sale for the 19-year-old in January.

Furthermore, the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea could all rival Liverpool for Bellingham, who would likely command over £100m to leave Dortmund.

Since their relatively quiet summer transfer window, Liverpool have only won two of their opening seven Premier League games to sit ninth in the table - 11 points adrift of leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

Darwin Nunez in Liverpool training on September 12, 2022 © Reuters

The Reds will travel to the Emirates Stadium to face the Gunners in Saturday's Premier League battle following their Champions League showdown with Rangers at Anfield, where Nunez will aim to force his way back into the first XI.

The ex-Benfica man has only scored two goals in seven games for Liverpool since his arrival, but Klopp has stressed that he is still adapting to the English game.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the clash with Rangers, Klopp said: "Of course he is still adapting, how players always adapt. New players come in and everybody talks about them and wants them to shine immediately.

"That happens from time to time, and sometimes not. Only yesterday we had a long talk with Pep Lijnders – because my Spanish or Portuguese is still not better – and we just told him we are completely calm. It's really important in our situation when he is now not starting, and he is not looking like he is worrying or whatever."

Fellow attacker Mohamed Salah will be out to set a new Champions League goalscoring record when Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men step foot onto the Anfield turf.