Former colleagues at AFC Bournemouth Des Taylor with Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium on December 18, 2024
Liverpool are enjoying a very merry Christmas as the Reds look down on the rest of the Premier League from the summit of the table. Indeed, it's been a brilliant first half of the campaign for Arne Slot's side and they now boast a four-point lead over Chelsea in second after a 6-3 victory at Tottenham.
And with Leicester City, West Ham United and Manchester United to come in the next week, there's a chance for the Reds to stretch their lead further.
But the arrival of January and a new year brings the chance for Liverpool to enter the transfer market and bring in further reinforcements. But who and where should they be looking?
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Our panel - including Liverpool legend John Aldridge - have their say...
Ian Doyle: January will be an interesting time for those who believe Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group don't enjoy spending any money.
FSG have actually shown themselves willing to release funds to sign players in the often tricky New Year window, whether it be bringing forward a prospective deal (such as those for Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo), ensuring a delayed one goes through (Virgil van Dijk) or an opportunist move to bolster a title-challenging squad (Takumi Minamino).
One, both or all three could be a possibility next month, depending on how the attempted summer swoop for Martin Zubimendi is viewed. And with Manchester City flapping about, Arsenal likely to strengthen their squad and Chelsea having a billion players on their books, it might well be viewed a dereliction of duty not to back Slot given Liverpool have put themselves in such a strong position at both home and abroad.
Of course, that will depend on the players available, with much now reliant on the groundwork completed by the recruitment team during the summer. If Liverpool can get in a new defensive midfielder or left-back, it could make all the difference.
John Aldridge: I still think that if there is a player out there to go and buy, as an insurance policy, go and get him in the January transfer window. If they are there, go and get them. That’s what I think, I really do, even though the squad is already that good. They did next to nothing in the summer. It sounds daft but I wouldn’t mind another striker.
If you can go and get Isak from Newcastle United, phwoar! That’s only tongue-in-cheek but if there is someone going who strengthens what we’ve got. We’re top of the league, we want to win the league. Just get an insurance policy, a top player. A centre-half, another midfielder or a centre-forward. It’s as easy as that.
Theo Squires: Liverpool have the most complete squad in the Premier League. Their depth has enabled them to successfully navigate their injury woes with ease so far this season, and has played a big role in them sitting top of the table.
But while Arne Slot has been able to regularly rotate his attacking options as a result, I’m a little concerned by the lack of quality alternatives to Ryan Gravenberch at number six.
Liverpool wanted Martin Zubimendi in the summer and will still be monitoring the market. If the right player is out there to complement the Dutchman, I’d be all for bringing them in.
Elsewhere, if club bosses grow resigned to Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk leaving at the end of their contracts, I want their would-be successors signed mid-season so they can learn from the best in the business while easing in at Anfield.