Jurgen Klopp targets £34m midfielder as key Liverpool star set to stay

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Jurgen Klopp targets £34m midfielder as key Liverpool star set to stay
Jurgen Klopp targets £34m midfielder as key Liverpool star set to stay

Liverpool opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday by winning 4-0 at Bournemouth.

Jurgen Klopp's side failed to get the better of the Cherries during the first half but were rampant after the break. Darwin Nunez opened the scoring in the 49th minute before Diogo Jota scored a brace. Nunez then completed a double of his own in added time.

Liverpool are now five points ahead of Manchester City in second, Arsenal in third and Aston Villa in fourth - although City have a game in hand on their title rivals. Despite his team's strong position, Klopp could bring in reinforcements this month to boost their title chances. With that in mind, here are the latest transfer headlines from Merseyside...

Thiago going nowhere

Thiago Alcantara will not join Brazilian side Flamengo this month, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The 32-year-old midfielder hasn't played for Liverpool this season due to a hip injury and rumours suggest he could make a January exit.

Yet Thiago is expected to finish the season at Liverpool before leaving on a free transfer. Flamengo will instead try to sign Matias Vina, a 26-year-old midfielder who is currently completing a loan spell at Serie A side Sassuolo from Roma.

Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush eiqrxixtiqerinvChelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush

Thiago's return will be a huge boost for Klopp. The experienced star has struggled with injuries since joining Liverpool three-and-a-half years ago but has impressed when called upon and will feel like a new signing when he makes his comeback from injury shortly.

Liverpool keen on Koopmeiners

Jurgen Klopp targets £34m midfielder as key Liverpool star set to stayTeun Koopmeiners has impressed in Serie A with Atalanta (Getty Images)

Who do you think Liverpool should sign? Let us know in the comments below!

Liverpool are interested in Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, according to reports in Italy. The Netherlands international, 25, is valued at €40million (£34.3m) by Atalanta and is being courted by several top European clubs - including the Reds.

Yet Liverpool could face competition from Juventus after the Italian giants added him to their transfer shortlist. Koopmeiners has made more than 300 first-team appearances for club and country during his career and is known for his defensive attributes.

Toney 'should join Liverpool'

Stan Collymore believes Ivan Toney should join Liverpool. The England international, 27, scored 20 Premier League goals last season and is available for selection again after completing an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association's gambling rules.

Toney, who is expected to finish the season at Brentford before completing a transfer, is wanted by both Arsenal and Chelsea. But Collymore has told him to join Liverpool - his former club. Whether the Reds would meet his £100m valuation is unclear.

"If I was advising him where to go next, out of the clubs that have shown interest, I would tell Toney to go to Arsenal," Collymore told CaughtOffside. "However, I think the Arsenal culture is still not a winning one.

"The Brentford star is a ruthless character and it is clear he wants to succeed, therefore, I don’t know if Toney’s attitude would rub off on Arsenal in a positive way. For me, if Liverpool decided to come calling, that would be perfect.

"I know they already have an embarrassment of riches in forward areas but if any of them were offloaded in the coming months, the Brentford star could be a great addition. I rate Toney so highly that I could see him in between (Mohamed) Salah and (Luis) Diaz."

Tom Blow

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