Liverpool’s extensive midfield rebuild last summer undoubtedly laid the foundations for their exceptional start to the 2023/24 campaign.
Jurgen Klopp has been equipped with the necessary tools to re-establish the Reds at the pinnacle of English and continental football, and he has gobbled up the opportunity.
Along with their exceptional form in the Premier League, Liverpool are through to the knockout phase of the Europa League and are hotly tipped to go all the way in the prestigious tournament.
However, as they compete for silverware across four competitions this season, their quest for glory hinges precariously on the extent of their market activity in January.
Renowned for their shrewd market activity, Liverpool are unlikely to make knee-jerk decisions in the transfer windows ahead – but the weight of expectation demands action.
Read on as we delve into some of the most intriguing names on Liverpool’s radar in 2024.
Goncalo Inacio
Liverpool will likely ramp up their interest in highly rated Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio after Joel Matip sustained an injury earlier this month.
The Cameroon international established a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the defence but ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a huge setback for the Reds.
Klopp has played down the need to replace the 32-year-old, but Liverpool may be required to open their chequebook in January to bolster their chances of silverware.
Although considering the adaptation time it’ll take for a new signing to adjust to the pace and requirements of the Premier League, it’s understandable why Klopp may be wary.
Klopp has a couple of options to choose from. Since Matip’s setback, Ibrahima Konate has partnered Van Dijk, while academy graduate Jarell Quansah is also in the mix.
Joe Gomez has predominantly featured as a right-back this season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold pushing into his newly acclaimed midfield role, but he can also deputise for Matip at centre-half.
There’s also an option of recalling Nathaniel Phillips from his ongoing loan stint with Celtic. But Liverpool don’t just need quantity – they also need quality – and that’s where Inacio comes in.
Inacio has impressed for Sporting this season, scoring three times in 22 games across all competitions while also helping to keep five clean sheets.
He averages one tackle per game, recovers the ball 5.4 times per match and has registered a 56% success rate in ground battles.
Inacio would be an exceptional acquisition for Liverpool, but they would need to trigger his €60 million release clause to force Sporting to sanction a mid-season exit.
Andre
Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool turned to Wataru Endo to sort out their defensive midfield crisis after losing out on their two top targets during the summer.
The Japanese holding midfielder has shown glimpses of what he is capable of but has struggled to displace Alexis Mac Allister at the base of Liverpool’s midfield.
Endo has endured a shaky start to life at Anfield, struggling to catch up to the pace of the extremely demanding Premier League, but has gradually begun to show his class.
However, Klopp has often preferred Mac Allister in the deeper role but it is increasingly clear the former Brighton & Hove Albion star could offer so much more when deployed in an advanced role.
The acquisition of Fluminense midfielder Andre, who remains a long-term target for the Reds, could allow Mac Allister to push further up the pitch where he is most dangerous.
Andre turned down a move to the Premier League last summer in favour of helping Fluminense in their quest for glory.
Liverpool now have a free reign to snap him up, although they will need to move fast to beat their Premier League counterparts, including Manchester United and Arsenal.
Evan Ferguson
Liverpool will find it easier to win the quadruple than sign Evan Ferguson in January, so we will stash this particular transfer target in the summer category.
The Brighton & Hove Albion marksman is one of the hottest young strikers across Europe, and there aren’t many players who can boast of his near-world-class profile.
Brighton Chief Executive Officer Paul Barber has made it clear it would take a monumental fee to snap him up next summer, but that is unlikely to deter interested parties from queuing up to secure his services.
The Republic of Ireland international is the kind of striker who could greatly impact Liverpool’s title odds for next season, potentially making them favourites for the prize.
Punters using betting sites in Ireland will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Ferguson, as he could be the missing link for several other clubs alongside Liverpool.
A move to a big club would also put Ferguson in the mix to be a future Golden Boot winner, and he would be an enticing betting proposition if that happens.
Ferguson has all the necessary tools to develop into a world-beater and Liverpool fans will hop he achieves that feat while representing their club.
