Liverpool

TEAMtalk can confirm the three midfielders Liverpool firmly have their gaze on - and can also reveal Jurgen Klopp is keen on a U-turn over two other stars.

We know they love, we know they want him – but we also know that a deal is not done yet. However, to land him this January is going to be very tough. Too often this season they have been overrun with the home defeat to Leeds and the recent loss at Brentford exposing their weaknesses. Furthermore, neother Jordan Henderson or Thiago Alcantara are getting any younger, with the pair both succumbing to injuries this season. Indeed, after surveying the wreckage of their loss to the Bees, Jamie Carragher claimed the Reds “ The Reds have kicked off their January transfer business by landing Cody Gakpo in a deal that could top £45m.

The Reds discovered more problems on Saturday after escaping with a draw against Wolves to set up an FA Cup third round replay.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are interested in signing Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer of 2023, according to GiveMeSport.

[GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88101951-chelsea-koulibaly-liverpool-vlahovic-transfer-news-premier-league). In our opinion, Liverpool would be able to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer of 2023. [Joao Palhinha](/en-gb/topic/joao-palhinha/page/3/) from Fulham in the summer of 2023, according to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88101951-chelsea-koulibaly-liverpool-vlahovic-transfer-news-premier-league).

Every transfer window takes on its own themes and storylines. This January market is being dominated by talk over Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Enzo ...

[Arsenal](https://www.givemesport.com/arsenal) attempted to sign the player previously and may re-enter the conversation given their rise in status this campaign. This is more a case of where he could turn up next, that is the twist. [Premier League](https://www.givemesport.com/premier-league) is likely to be his next destination. Insiders indicate that he would genuinely consider playing on the continent if he decides to take the step away from Crystal Palace. Neither are attainable in this moment but that may change later in the year, depending on contract talks. He joined in the summer for £20m and the Whites have had a great season – at their current rate they might even have a chance of qualifying for European football. Liverpool had him on their radar even before his switch to Craven Cottage. At the end of this season Juventus must face up to the realities of their problems on and off the pitch and as part of that may have to part with one or two big names. [Chelsea](https://www.givemesport.com/chelsea) bemused by his levels since arriving in a [£33m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12651214/kalidou-koulibaly-chelsea-complete-deal-for-napoli-centre-back#:~:text=Chelsea%20have%20completed%20a%20deal,to%20move%20to%20Stamford%20Bridge.) deal, and while the club do not doubt Koulibaly’s qualities, there is reason to start to believe this move might not work out long-term. Every transfer window takes on its own themes and storylines. [Liverpool](https://www.givemesport.com/liverpool) and [Tottenham](https://www.givemesport.com/tottenham-hotspur) are two of the clubs casting an eye over him at the moment. With that in mind, we have decided to take a look a some sub-plots taking place in the backdrop at big clubs this winter and have assessed some situations that could open up over the course of the year…

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool's leaky defence is of no great concern to him, despite the Reds picking up an unfortunate habit of conceding first.

It’s not that they had chance after chance; what it causes us is a lot of effort to put it right in the end and if you are already there, so you could win [the ball] where you are, then you don’t have to run back and try to solve the problems there.” I mentioned it already now in the dressing room and I will mention it again as the next team we face is Brighton, who are famous for playing proper football. [fallen behind in more than half of their matches in the 2022-23 campaign,](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/why-liverpool-conceding-first-konate-puzzled-defensive-leaks/bltc0b750d437bfb8b2) as well as picking up just eight clean sheets in 27 games across all competitions.

The Reds were unable to ease their recent woes as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Anfield in the FA Cup third round.

The Reds' Egyptian King was on target at Anfield on Saturday night, his goal taking him above Sir Kenny Dalglish in the club's all-time list, but for Jurgen Klopp there was little else to smile about. [expertly-controlled volley](https://www.goal.com/en/news/watch-nunez-excellent-finishing-touch-to-score-liverpool-goal-alexander-arnold-assist-wolves/bltf39c9d7b93174ecb) on the stroke of half-time levelled matters, and when Salah put the home side ahead shortly after the break, Klopp's side looked set to put the misery of Monday's defeat at Brentford behind them with a win. [the visitors thought they'd snatched a win when Toti Gomes bundled home late on](https://www.goal.com/en/news/explained-wolves-fa-cup-winner--liverpool--disallowed--tv-cameras-onside/blt4ef75672f31f7b0e), only for an offside flag against Matheus Nunes to save Liverpool's bacon.

Jürgen Klopp admitted after Liverpool's draw with Wolves that his side have a problem. He could help solve it using the broad Cody Gakpo transfer template.

With his contract expiring in 2024, this is an ideal time for Liverpool to make a move. Of course there is far more to a midfielder than just winning defensive duels but Zerrouki's ability to stand-out in a fairly competitive environment should still be noteworthy for Liverpool, especially since Klopp has now openly admitted his side struggle in the area. Zerrouki may not be a player who solves all of the club's problems, but he may be cheap enough to take a gamble on, and he could definitely be an asset in providing that midfield stability Klopp's side so desperately needs. Zerrouki averages 4.73 progressive passes per 90, which ranks him in the 81st percentile. [Fabinho](https://www.liverpool.com/all-about/fabinho) has been out of form. Zerrouki creates 3.29 shot-creating-actions per 90 for his teammates and ranks in the 92nd percentile for passes attempted and in the 86th percentile for passes completed in the league. He is also extremely composed and effective in his distribution. Klopp's words are the diagnosis of the entire season. “We have two or three players in a challenge, moving toward the ball. The visit from Wolves, who are currently sitting 19th in the Premier League table, was far from the comfortable victory many had expected. One option is FC Twente midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki. Instead, Jürgen Klopp's side played out a dire 2-2 draw that could have ended up much worse for the Reds had it not been for a fortunate VAR decision in their favour, with a debut for Cody Gakpo one of the few silver linings.