da doce： The resurgent Reds clearly need to strengthen their squad if they are to sustain their surprise Premier League title challenge

da cassino： Liverpool's season is going far better than anyone expected. The revamped Reds aren't just challenging for a top-four finish in the Premier League; they're right in the title race having lost just one game so far this season.

However, things are about to get a whole lot tougher for Jurgen Klopp. Having already lost Joel Matip to a season-ending knee injury and both of his left-backs, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, to dislocated shoulders, the German manager must now make do without Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo for a significant chunk of January and February because of their respective involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup.

So, while Liverpool are often reluctant to make major moves midway through the season, they have done some big January deals in the past (Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo…) and it's clear that the squad will need strengthening if Klopp is to sustain a title challenge.

With that in mind, GOAL picks out six players that the Reds should at least consider signing when the transfer window opens next month…

GettyAntonee Robinson (Fulham)

Klopp could well decide to continue with Joe Gomez at left-back until Robertson returns. The Englishman is a wonderfully versatile defender and rarely lets Liverpool down, no matter where he is deployed.

Still, in an ideal world, the Reds would have a specialist at left-back, rather than a stop-gap solution. Hardly surprising, then, that there is talk of a move for Antonee Robinson, who is having a fine season at Fulham, with three goals in 21 appearances in all competitions.

Would the Cottagers really be willing to let the USMNT star go at this stage of the season? It appears unlikely, especially as the 26-year-old's recently-extended contract now runs until 2028. But there's no doubt that Robinson would jump at the chance to join Liverpool, even as a former Everton player!

AdvertisementGettyPiero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen)

A chance for Klopp to kill two birds with one stone? With no fit senior left-backs to call upon and Matip's season over, Liverpool are in quite the bind at the back – even accounting for Gomez's aforementioned flexibility and the emergence of the mightily impressive 20-year-old Jarell Quansah.

However, signing Piero Hincapie could solve all of their problems, given the Ecuadorian is not only a highly promising centre-half, he's also capable of playing at left-back. The issue, of course, is that Bayer Leverkusen are reluctant to sell anyone during the winter window, given they're presently riding high at the top of the Bundesliga. They'll need to keep their strong squad intact if they're to have any chance of holding off champions Bayern Munich during the second half of the season.

Still, it's worth pointing out that Liverpool's interest is very real, having been previously confirmed by Hincapie's agent, and that the 21-year-old hasn't been a regular starter for Leverkusen this season. A €50m (£43m/$55m) bid would give Leverkusen's money men plenty to think about – even if Xabi Alonso would obviously be dead against the transfer.

Getty Willian Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Hincapie's compatriot Willian Pacho has made quite the impact since joining Eintracht Frankfurt from Antwerp during the summer. No other Bundesliga defender has won possession more times than the Ecuador international, who also ranks third for tackles won, eighth for clearances and joint-fifth for interceptions.

Frankfurt are presently sixth in the standings, meaning Europe is a realistic target for Dino Toppmoller's team. However, a decent bid could well bring the German outfit to the negotiating table, with Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham all said to be considering making a move for the 22-year-old left-footer, who ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool and would cost significantly less than Hincapie.

Getty ImagesGoncalo Inacio (Sporting CP)

Another excellent option for the left-hand side of the centre of Liverpool's defence, Goncalo Inacio has also reportedly attracted the attention of Real Madrid, who have lost both Eder Militao and David Alaba to season-ending injuries, and Arsenal.

The 22-year-old is a regular at Sporting CP and has already scored twice for Portugal, after earning his first cap for his country in March. Once again, though, the question is whether Liverpool would be willing to spend big on a centre-back in January, as there is absolutely no chance of the Primeira Liga leaders accepting an offer for Inacio lower than his £52m ($60m) buy-out clause.