How Liverpool could strengthen in January 2022 after a subdued summer transfer window

Jurgen Klopp wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t expect a busy end to the summer transfer window for Liverpool.

Even after a 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea that left some cause for concern, the Reds boss remained steadfast that his business was completed.

Planning ahead

Klopp probably had his feet up in his office watching the events unfold on deadline day, quietly satisfied he wasn’t frantically making phone calls like some of his counterparts to recruit at the 11th hour.

Despite a third-place finish in the Premier League last season, Liverpool made just a solitary addition in the summer.

Ibrahima Konate cost £36 million from RB Leipzig, with his arrival funded by the sales of the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic.

Football is all about planning for the future, with recruitment teams working two and sometimes three windows ahead in terms of squad planning.

Liverpool have likely already got a framework set out for the business they’ll complete in the January transfer window. After all, it’s only 120 days away.

Here’s a look at what could be on the agenda when the Reds are again permitted to recruit.

A forward

Roberto Firmino limping off the pitch against Chelsea was a sobering reminder to Kopites about the lack of depth there is to the current attacking options.

The Brazilian, flanked by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, can rival any front three in Europe.

Then add in Diogo Jota, who’s scored 15 goals in 33 games since joining last summer and is only improving. A potent quartet, indeed.

However, below that foursome, Liverpool aren’t awash with top-quality alternatives.

Shaqiri was granted an exit to Lyon, with the Reds opting to cash in on him rather than risking losing the Switzerland international next summer for free. He wasn’t replaced.

There’s also talk about whether Divock Origi could complete an exit to Fenerbahce before the Turkish transfer window shuts next week.

The Belgium international has been a loyal servant since arriving in 2014 and scored some vital goals. Ultimately, though, he is surplus to requirements after being left out of the past two match-day squads.

Despite chasing a goal against 10-man Chelsea last weekend, Klopp opted to leave Takumi Minamino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench.

And although there are high hopes for Kaide Gordon, it’d be unfair to expect the 16-year-old to make an impact in a title challenge.

Liverpool will see Mane and Salah head off to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January and look set to miss a couple of league games.

Even if they weren’t going to be absent, there would still be the same worries over the dearth of cover in the final third below the pair.

Last season, it was only Salah who hit the heights fans have come to expect, with Mane, by his own admission, underwhelming.

If Liverpool’s shortcomings remain, it could lead to Klopp adding firepower.

A midfielder

There was so much talk about how Liverpool could cope following the departure of Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Dutchman was pivotal to the Reds’ success in recent seasons and made 51 appearances in all competitions last term - the joint-most along with Salah.

Klopp’s been fairly relaxed following Wijnaldum’s exit and insisted he’s happy with his options.

So far, you’d have to concur. Harvey Elliott has stepped up impeccably, with James Milner and Curtis Jones being omitted from the match-day squad against Chelsea as a consequence.

Still, there’s plenty of games over the next few months that will provide Klopp with a true barometer of whether he was correct not to replace Wijnaldum.

Naby Keita will head to AFCON in January to represent Guinea which will leave Liverpool a man short.

It could well depend on if others are injured as to whether Klopp looks to bring in a fresh face in the engine room.

Certainly, in the unlikely scenario the Reds suffered a crisis like in defence last season, then they’d look to recruit.

Pre-contracts

During Klopp’s reign as manager, January hasn’t been a window when he’s recruited heavily.

Granted, there was Virgil van Dijk’s arrival for £75 million in 2018 but that was to fend off competition from elsewhere.

Last January was the first time Klopp recruited more than one player in the window, when Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak (loan) were signed.

Had there not been a defensive crisis, though, neither would have joined.

The perils of the mid-season window is something Klopp’s well aware of and why he is usually so averse to strengthening in the period.

However, it also signifies when Premier League clubs can start making agreements with players who’re out of contract in the summer.

Pre-contracts with those plying their trade outside of England can be brokered and the Reds could look to snap up any stars whose deals are coming to a conclusion.

Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic was linked with Liverpool late in the window.

The Croatia international is out of contract at the end of next season and Klopp is reportedly happy to wait until his deal expires.

He’s one who could pen a pre-contract.

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