What do Liverpool need in January?

As one of the top performing teams in the UK Premier League, Liverpool FC have a wide fan base across the UK and internationally. Currently managed by former player and professional football leader Jurgen Klopp, the team has one of the best management teams in the world with Klopp having guided the club to successive champion league finals in both 2018 and 2019. 

However, with January just around the corner, transfer season is rapidly encroaching upon us. It’s rumoured that Liverpool could be signing four new players while two of their star players head off to Africa Cup of Nations, leaving the club without two of their star players for over a month. 

Let’s take a look at what’s in store for Liverpool in 2022 and what transfer season could mean for the future success of the club. For the Premier League fans looking to get in on the action and place their sports bets in the best bookmakers for the new year, now’s the time to get clued up on what’s going on. 

What are the odds of Liverpool winning the Premier League this season?

While Liverpool have played well this season and made some impressive moves, they are currently 2nd in line with many major sportsbooks as Manchester City have overtaken them by a margin. Manchester are currently at 8/13, while Liverpool are at 11/4 and third in line are Chelsea at 5/1. 

This means that Liverpool have a 27% chance of winning the Premier League, while Manchester have a 62% chance and Chelsea have a 17% chance. Liverpool managed to score a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa, however Mo Salah received a 67th minute penalty in a recent game with Manchester City which set them back. 

While it doesn’t look hopeful for Liverpool winning the Premier League this time around, there’s still a small chance they could bounce back and overtake Manchester but if they didn't, second place isn’t the worst place to be. 

What will January entail for Liverpool?

Jurgen Klopp has faced a number of challenges in recent months with some of his star players out of action due to fitness challenges and injuries. With such a short transfer window rapidly approaching, it’s time for the club to take action and secure some new players for the season ahead.

Some of the players out of action this season include Roberto Firmino who’s currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. As one of Liverpool’s key players, this comes as a big blow for the club. There’s also Diogo Jota and Divock Origi who are currently facing some personal fitness challenges. 

In addition to this, Firmino and Takumi Minamino are both finding themselves on international duties over the winter break, putting even more pressure on Klopp to look into the transfer market over the course of January.

Players to be considered in the transfer market

There are a number of talented players up for grabs this transfer season, in which Liverpool would do well to begin considering their options early, given their recent setbacks. 

Jonathan David

Up first, we have Canadian striker Jonathan David, who currently plays for Lille. Having already been on a Liverpool shortlist, the New York born player has been of interest to the club for a while and while he didn’t quite make the cut the first time around, Liverpool may reshow their interest in the young player now that their £45 million deal to sign Jota is out of the way. 

This season, David has scored 10 goals in 14 league games which has made him the top scorer in the French league. He typically acts as a striker in a 4-4-2 system. While it’s expected that this will be David’s last season at Lille, Liverpool seem currently unsure as to whether David could perform as a lone striker. That being said, if he enters the transfer pool then they will need to make a plan to snap him up or lose him once again for another season.

Antony

The right winger from Brazil made a move from his native country back in 2020 when he transferred over to Ajax. There he joined the wingers where he made an aggressive play against defenders, in which his pace, skill and willingness to run really made him stand out. 

While he’s currently a top player for Ajax, Antony has also earned himself a spot on Brazil’s national team. Standing with other top players like Raphinha, Antony is set to be a rising star who would be snapped up if he enters the transfer market in January. 

Tod Cantwell

British left and right winger Tod Cantwell is also on the list for a possible transfer this January. Known for his ability to play a variety of roles, Cantwell also has a considerable amount of Premier League experience. As he’s soon to enter the final 6 months of his contract, Cantwell could be an ideal candidate to join Liverpool in 2022. 

Overall, Liverpool are finding themselves in a tight position towards the end of the Premier League season as some of their star players are out of action. While it’s not yet clear who they’re eying up on the transfer market, there are some top contenders to snap up, making for a tense January.