Liverpool are set for one of their biggest rebuilds in their history, following a poor start to the season.
The Reds slumped to a second consecutive loss to a relegation battler at the weekend, succumbing to a 2-1 loss at home to Leeds United. The result ended Virgil van Dijk's incredible run of 70 home games undefeated and left the Merseysiders way off the pace for top four.
With Jurgen Klopp's squad decimated by injury and reliant on a few stars over the age of 30, plenty expect Liverpool to refresh their roster in January: but the sheer number of links with new players suggests that a huge renovation could be about to take place.
Liverpool are said to be extremely interested in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo but the Seagulls are holding out for an eye-watering £85 million for the Ecuadorian star. Frenkie De Jong is also on the radar for the Reds, while Bruno Guimaraes is an ambitious target for £60m, along with Bundesliga-based Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala who have both been touted for moves.
While the midfield is a big issue at Anfield right now, however, the defence may yet be strengthened with Antonio Silva of Benfica being linked, too. In attack, Borussia Dortmund star Youssoufa Moukoko is rumoured, while CalcioMercato claim that Liverpool want to sign Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It is almost impossible that the Merseysiders will sign all eight stars being linked with the club – but such an influx of transfer rumours certainly suggests that big moves will be made in the summer.
Of Liverpool's squad, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Thiago, Joel Matip, Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Mohamed Salah are all 30 or over. Fabinho and Andy Robertson are 29 and 28 respectively – and Liverpool fans may expect at least a few of those names to depart next summer.
Liverpool spent around £85m in the summer bringing in players of an average age of 22, according to Transfermarkt. The previous season saw them bring in stars for £78m, while in 2020/21, their new signings cost around £75m.
In 2019/20, the season that they won the title, Liverpool spent just under £10m for the whole campaign. Compared to the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal who have refreshed their squads with nine-figure transfer outlays in successive summers, the Reds have been modest – meaning a rebuild could be due.
Liverpool currently sit ninth in the Premier League with four wins, four draws and four losses after 12 matches.
The Reds face Napoli in the Champions League this week.
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Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Jude Bellingham, with a deal now potentially more likely after Bayern Munich ruled themselves out of signing the Borussia Dortmund and England star. It's also been reported that they're keeping tabs on Bayern and Germany hotshot Jamal Musiala.
In other transfer news, the Reds are said to be interested in an MLS wonderkid and a striker dubbed 'the next Erling Haaland'.
Meanwhile, in an effort to get his struggling side clicking again, Jurgen Klopp has made quite a radical tactical change: could 4-4-2 be the way forward for Liverpool?
