11 January 2024 , 05:00
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Liverpool have suffered another blow, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury adding to the strain on Jurgen Klopp ’s squad.
Alexander-Arnold is set for a spell on the sidelines after tearing a ligament in his knee. His absence comes with fellow full-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas also sidelined through injury. But at least with the January transfer window open, Liverpool have the option of bringing in reinforcements.
Klopp is also without Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo at present, due to the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup, so it is a case of all hands to the pump. There is still plenty of time left in the January window to act, so here are the latest pieces of news and rumours involving the club.
Saudi threat increases
Al-Ittihad pushed very hard to sign Salah in the summer, offering the Liverpool star a whopping package worth an eye-popping £215million. That threat isn’t likely to subside in the summer – and Liverpool also have other players who could be targeted by the Saudi Pro League.
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Sadio Mane all headed for the riches of the Middle East last summer and Caught Offside reports that Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will be targeted at the end of the 2023/24 season. Al-Ettifaq has Steven Gerrard in charge and he reportedly held a recruitment meeting recently when the club identified players for the summer.
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Joe Gomez is being targeted by Al-Ettifaq (Getty Images)Matip is currently out with a serious knee injury and his deal expires at the end of the season, but Klopp has suggested the possibility of the club extending it. Gomez has become a key player of late due to the number of injuries and Liverpool won’t want to lose him.
Mbappe still available
Kylian Mbappe is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain in June and had been widely expected to join Real Madrid following years of not-so-subtle flirting. He is in talks with Real, but Liverpool are not out of the picture yet.
ESPN says reports that he has committed himself to the Spanish giants are wide of the mark and Liverpool could still reach out to Mbappe. Asked about his future this month, Mbappe said: "I haven't made my decision yet. I haven't made a choice.”
If Liverpool do lose Salah to Saudi Arabia then signing Mbappe suddenly doesn’t seem so farfetched. He has already agreed to waive a £69m loyalty bonus if he leaves the club this summer, so seems determined for a change of scenery.
Kylian Mbappe is yet to commit to Real Madrid (Getty Images)Hull make Carvalho promise
Wednesday brought the news that Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho was joining Hull City on loan until the end of the season. Liverpool cancelled his loan with RB Leipzig early so they could get him more game time.
There was a lot of attention on the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, with Southampton and Leicester also keen, but Liverpool chose Hull for a good reason.
"The reason he’s at Liverpool is because he’s got enormous potential and I can’t thank them enough for trusting us; Liverpool have seen the work we’ve done with Tyler Morton,” Hull manager Liam Rosenior said. “Fabio’s got the ability to make a real impact on our season and get us to where we want to be."