Liverpool have consistently opted against major transfer moves in January following Jurgen Klopp’s arrival in 2015.
In seven winter windows, Klopp has only broken the £10m mark twice, to sign Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz, in 2018 and 2021, respectively.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund boss could change tact in the coming weeks, with a new midfielder a priority for him with the second half of 2022/23 still ahead.
A replacement for the injured Diaz is an option, but Klopp could wait to see how his injury recovery progresses, with long-term replacements for Jordan Henderson and James Milner perhaps a greater priority.
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Updated Liverpool transfers
Players in
| Date | Player | Club | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2023 | Cody Gakpo | PSV | €43 million |
Players out
| Date | Player | Club | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — |
MORE: How much did Liverpool spend in the summer window?
Latest Liverpool transfer news and rumours
Many expect any potential arrivals at Anfield to come in midfield, with Klopp well-stocked elsewhere in his squad, looking ahead to a packed schedule in 2023. Klopp is reported to have a budget close to £100m to work with, if he opts to make a mid-season move.
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, right-back Calvin Ramsay, midfielder Harvey Elliott and Scottish winger Ben Doak will all play an increased role in the months ahead, but Klopp is determined to source a new midfield general.
In addition to major news regarding Cody Gakpo, Jude Bellignham, Enzo Fernandez detailed below, there are also a few other links being tracked as the January window arrives.
- Jurgen Klopp has been personally involved in the pursuit of Napoli midfielder Eljif Elma, reportedly giving the North Macedonia international a call as Liverpool shows interest.
- Reports in the US, including from former international Eric Wynalda, state that Liverpool have looked into Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah, who has become a regular starter for the USMNT at just 20 years old.
- One of the biggest winners of the 2022 World Cup was Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. The Daily Express on Dec. 22 claimed that Liverpool are ready to make a £35m bid in the face of competition from Tottenham.
MORE: Everything you wanted to know about Sofyan Amrabat
Liverpool agree to deal for Cody Gakpo
According to Paul Joyce of The Times on December 26, Liverpool have entered “advanced” talks with PSV over the last 48 hours for Cody Gakpo. That report was quickly followed by another from David Ornstein of The Athletic which corroborated Joyce’s and added that talks were “moving quickly.” Ornstein’s report also claimed that a deal was “close.”
Just hours later, PSV confirmed a deal was in place with Liverpool for the transfer of Gakpo, subject to a medical and the negotiations of contract details.
PSV and @LFC have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo.
The 23-year-old attacker will leave for England imminently where he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of the transfer.
— PSV (@PSV) December 26, 2022
Gakpo was one of the brightest young attackers at the 2022 World Cup, proving electric for the Netherlands with three goals as the Oranje reached the quarterfinals. He has nine goals and 12 assists this season in 14 Eredivisie matches this season for PSV, plus another three goals and two assists in five Europa League matches.
The 23-year-old has been heavily linked to Manchester United, who are looking to upgrade their attack with a marquee signing, but Liverpool may have swooped in and pulled into the lead. He has also been mentioned in connection with a move to Arsenal as the Gunners look for a Gabriel Jesus replacement. The Times report states that Gakpo would cost somewhere in the range of €40-45 million.
MORE: When are Liverpool World Cup players back? Status of returning stars
Liverpool targeting Jude Bellingham in blockbuster deal
Reports indicate that England international Jude Bellingham is Liverpool’s No.1 target, in either the winter or summer market, with links to the Borussia Dortmund midfielder stretching back over 12 months.
England pair Trent Alexander-Arnold and Henderson have posted a string of social media hints during their time together at the 2022 World Cup and Liverpool fans are confident of a deal.
Stroll in the City with Bro @BellinghamJude 🌃💫 pic.twitter.com/06Tvkrjcdw
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) November 30, 2022
The practicality of securing a £100m+ deal in the January window will be difficult, with Dortmund previously hinting at their preference for a summer exit, and Real Madrid also challenging for the 19-year-old. Spanish outlet Marca indicated on Dec. 22 that it’s Los Blancos with the edge for his signature.
Enzo Fernandez on Jurgen Klopp’s shortlist after World Cup
Enzo Fernandez is also on Klopp’s radar following an impressive start to life at Benfica this season to go with his performances in Qatar 2022 for world champions Argentina.
However, the Portuguese club is expected to demand that any interested party pay the player’s full £105m release clause after the 21-year-old scooped up the FIFA World Cup Young Player Award. Portugal outlet Record reported on Dec. 22 that Liverpool’s initial £88m bid was rejected.
As a skillful and combative two-way midfielder, he offers a different playing style to Bellingham’s, and one that fits nicely with Klopp’s high-pressing tactics.
Liverpool set to be interested in signing this years World Cup young player of the tournament Enzo Fernandez to bolster midfield ✍️🏆📝
(via Daily Express) pic.twitter.com/vfp5hfyaUN
— FTBL (@ftblofficial) December 20, 2022
Klopp was asked about Bellingham ahead of Liverpool’s Boxing Day match against Aston Villa, and was full of praise. “Bellingham is just exceptional,” Klopp said in his pre-match press conference. “He plays so mature, like a 28-year-old. Everybody already knew his skills, but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it.
“He’s very good, exceptional. He had an incredible World Cup.”
When asked further about Liverpool’s pursuit of the young England star, he was non-committal, saying, “In January? I’m the wrong person to answer that, you will have to ask other people about that.”
MORE: Latest transfer news on Enzo Fernandez
How to watch Liverpool Premier League matches
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | |
| Hong Kong | — | Now TV |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+, Hotstar, JioTV |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | Astro Go |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Singapore | StarHub | StarHub TV+ |
| UK | Sky Sports, BT Sport | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo | fuboTV, Peacock |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).
