Liverpool’s five transfer questions that will be answered during rest of season ahead of summer 2022

The January transfer window may have just closed - but that will mean little for Liverpool.

In football, recruitment never stops. Clubs are consistently planning ahead.

The Reds had a fine winter by bringing in Luis Diaz from Porto for a fee of up to £50 million including add-ons.

The winger’s arrival has left fans delighted and he’s a superb addition as Jurgen Klopp’s side continue to fight on four fronts.

But the Anfield hierarchy won’t be sitting back and admiring their work.

When one window shuts, heads are down yet again to concentrate on the next one.

Already, there will be players being scouted, dossiers compiled and tentative talks with agents under way.

The 2022 summer transfer window will be an intriguing one for Liverpool.

It will be the first time Julian Ward will have full responsibility as sporting director as he prepares to take over from cult hero Michael Edwards.

So ahead of the summer, here are five transfer questions that will be answered during the rest of this season.

Second time lucky with Carvalho

There would have been some frustrated figures cut after the transfer deadline passed.

What had already been a near-perfect January for Liverpool, signing Fabio Carvalho would have been the icing on the cake.

Signing the Fulham attacking midfielder would have been an added bonus. An extra treat with one fresh face already recruited for next term as a loan back to the Championship leaders was on the cards.

A fee was agreed, medical done, personal terms met but the deal was unable to be complete in time.

However, you would certainly imagine that Liverpool will be renewing their interest in the summer.

Clearly, to make a swoop in January despite Carvalho - who has recorded seven goals and four assists this season - being out of contract underlines how much the Reds covet his signature.

It’s reported that Carvalho is keen to work with Klopp and his appetite has already likely been whet.

Granted, the 19-year-old can sign a pre-contract with European clubs, having been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.

But Liverpool are as attractive a club as any on the continent.

Contract conundrums

Diaz’s arrival has allayed some fears heading into the summer.

Liverpool have signed a bona fide, top-class winger who’s only going to improve as he acclimatises to Klopp’s demands and brand of football.

Regardless, it won’t stop the questions about several key players’ futures from being asked.

It’s well documented that Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino’s respective contracts all expire in 2023.

All are a similar age and there’s a general agreement that three long-term deals cannot be handed out.

For obvious reasons, Salah has been at the forefront of the focus.

The winger has taken his game up several notches this season. Having plundered an astonishing 23 goals in just 26 games, plenty concur he’s now the best player in the world.

Yet negotiations still remain at an impasse. Salah recently admitted he’s not asking for “crazy stuff” but will, understandably, want to be rewarded with a deal that reflects his status.

If he enters the summer with his future still unresolved, the vultures will be circling.

Mane and Firmino’s contract talks haven’t been as prominently spoken about.

The former remains an indispensable part of Liverpool’s squad yet Diaz’s arrival muddies his future somewhat.

Mane, too, will want a bumper contract. It’ll be his final chance to net a lucrative deal as he approaches 30.

That’s the age that Firmino is now. The Brazilian has been a wonderful servant and his transformation into a false number nine under Klopp’s been magnificent.

But Firmino’s position in the Reds team is no longer as important, with Diogo Jota now first-choice striker.

Both are still quality players and would be wanted by the majority of top clubs in Europe.

If Liverpool don’t see either Mane or Firmino in their long-term plans then they’d surely rather cash in than risk losing them for free a year later.

There are decisions for Liverpool to make over the next few months.

An out-and-out striker

There’s rightfully plenty of admiration for Jota’s hurtling progress he’s made this season.

Some people questioned his £45 million arrival from Wolves in the summer of 2020.

But after an encouraging maiden season hit by injuries, that fee looks every bit justified.

The Portuguese, as previously mentioned, has taken on the mantle of being Klopp’s main centre-forward. He’s bagged 14 goals in all competitions, with 10 coming in the Premier League - which places him second behind Salah in the top-flight scoring charts.

Still, there is an argument that Liverpool require an out-and-out striker - either to be a starter or off the bench.

Jota’s fluid in where he can play, having primarily been a wide man during his Wolves days.

Having more of a focal point would be another way Klopp could set up his team.

In truth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Divock Origi, who is out of contract in the summer, leaves.

Someone with similar physical attributes is what Liverpool may look for.

Midfield dilemma

It’s not only Liverpool’s renowned attacking triumvirate whose deals conclude in 2023.

The Reds also have Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in similar situations.

Both were purchased for significant sums.

Keita cost a fee of £54 million in 2018 while Liverpool splashed out £35 million for Oxlade-Chamberlain 12 months prior.

The latter was part of the Champions League and Premier League teams, with Keita involved in the latter after spending 2018-19 back on loan at RB Leipzig.

However, both have crucially had their injury problems. It’s been some time since they had a sustained spell in the team and made a real impact.

When all midfielders are fit, it’s seldom the pair are in the starting line-up. The growing influence of Curtis Jones, emergence of Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton also breaking into the fray means things could become even more difficult.

If Carvalho does sign, there might not be room to keep the pair. Either Keita or Oxlade-Chamberlain might have to be sold rather than departing on a free like Gini Wijnaldum last summer.

Gomez’s predicament

One player who was linked with a January departure was Joe Gomez.

Having previously been Virgil van Dijk’s regular centre-back partner, the England international has now jettisoned down the Anfield ranks.

After recovering from a long-term knee injury, Gomez now finds himself as fourth-choice under Klopp.

It’s now Joel Matip who’s won the place back alongside van Dijk, while £36 million summer signing Ibrahima Konate has made hurtling progress.

Gomez will no doubt be disappointed and irked by his current situation, having just 12 appearances this term and yet to make a Premier League start.

And with the World Cup taking place at the end of the year in Qatar, there’s no chance he’ll be part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad as things stand.

Gomez will be wary he’ll need to be playing regularly to break back into the Three Lions set-up.

That might result in a move away should the right offer come in. He’s out of contract in the summer of 2024 so would command a decent fee.