Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Having come so close to the Premier League title last season Liverpool will be bitterly disappointed with the current campaign.
At the half-way stage of the season they're out of the Champions League and nowhere near the top of the table. A top-four finish would be a fantastic achievement now.
But if they're to slot into that final Champions League qualification place they'll need to improve and bringing in a couple of players in January is one way of doing it.
What they need: Can they afford to wait for Daniel Sturridge to regain fitness without adding another striker? Brendan Rodgers will also have to sign a goalkeeper eventually and could do with proper wing-backs.
Top targets: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid).
On the way out? Mario Balotelli (although Rodgers insists not. We shall see).
Who Liverpool have been linked with...
Show all 14 1 /14Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Petr Cech With Simon Mignolet unconvincing and Brad Jones a deputy lacking clout, Liverpool need a new goalkeeper. Chelsea stopper Cech is looking for a new home having been pushed into second place by Thibaut Courtois and could be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge if he really pushes for it. One of the best goalkeepers in the world, despite currently warming the bench, Chelsea will be reluctant to let him join a Premier League rival.
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Guillermo Ochoa According to some reports a £3m deal has already been thrashed out for Malaga stopper Ochoa. Interest in the 29-year-old was huge in the summer after a string of impressive performances at the World Cup with Mexico. The then free agent opted for a move to Spain but has struggled since.
EPA/MAURICIO DUENAS
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window John Ruddy Another keeper linked with a move to Anfield is Ruddy. The 28-year-old just missed out on a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup but remains a well rated stopper. With Norwich currently plying their trade in the Championship after relegation last term, a quick return to the top-flight would be appealing.
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Sergio Romero Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero will be out of contract in the summer which has led to reports over where he will be playing in the near future. The Argentina international, who was part of the side that finished runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, has also been linked with Manchester City.
Getty Images
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Ron Vlaar Defending was not an area in which Liverpool excelled last season, despite their title tilt, so consequently Brendan Rodgers made moves to address the problem during the summer. However, it hasn't worked particularly well and Liverpool are understood to be keen to add reinforcements. Aston Villa centre-back Vlaar is a man in demand due to his consistent performances and the fact his contract will expire at the end of the season.
Getty Images
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Fabio Coentrao Left-back Coentrao has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid and to the Premier League for some time now with Manchester United usually the club named as his likely destination. However, Liverpool are also said to be in the mix.
Getty Images
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Fabian Delph Another Aston Villa player of interest to Liverpool is Delph. The central midfielder has begun to show why the Villains made such an effort to prise him away from Leeds United back in 2009. Reports suggest Rodgers could make a bid upwards of £10m for the 25-year-old.
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Karim Benzema Karim Benzema has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years, but instead he just keeps on scoring goals at a healthy rate for Real Madrid. That the Frenchman has lasted so long at the Bernabeu considering the Spanish club's preference for churning over the star names is testament to his ability. However, a reported £50m bid being readied by Liverpool might be enough for Los Blancos to say au revoir.
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Saido Berahino The youngster has impressed with West Brom, so much so Liverpool have been linked with a £23m move for the striker. However, the Baggies say the story is an 'entire fabrication'. Tottenham also linked.
Getty
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Jackson Martinez Martinez was an integral part of the Colombia team that so impressed at the World Cup so it was inevitable his name would crop up in the transfer rumour mill. However, he remained at Porto over the summer but claims that he has a £27.5m release clause has seen interest return. Liverpool are reportedly ready to take the plunge, however they face competition from Roma and Arsenal for the 28-year-old.
Getty
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Ezequiel Lavezzi Lavezzi has 18 months to run on his contract and according to some sources PSG won't offer him another contract. That means they'll be keen to offload him sooner rather than later in order to avoid losing him for free. A fee of around £17m has been mentioned, with the 29-year-old forward perhaps set to become the latest Argentinian import into the Premier League.
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Wilfried Bony Brendan Rodgers were full of praise for Bony earlier this season, describing him as 'strong, powerful, and he gets goals'. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is just as effusive. 'I hope Liverpool sign him [Bony]. He is worth £20m or £25m. I wish Liverpool got him this summer and I hope they're looking at him in the future,' said the former defender.
Getty
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Gonzalo Higuain The Napoli striker was close to a move to Arsenal two seasons ago before the Italian club blew their bid out of the water. However, they are now under financial pressure to balance the books, and the addition of Manolo Gabbiadini from Sampdoria has triggered talk that he could be on his way to Anfield for £30m.
GETTY IMAGES
Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Ogenyi Onazi According to reports, Lazio have already turned down one bid from Liverpool for their young Nigerian striker. However, an offer of around £8m could tempt them to part with the 22-year-old who has started to find his feet in Serie A and has already made over 25 appearances for his national team. There are suggestions Fabio Borini could be used as a make-weight in any deal.
Getty Images
Who would you like to see arrive at Anfield? Let us know in the comments below.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies