The winter transfer window is looming on the horizon. Liverpool will be linked to buying players, but some could also leave. We look at who could go next month.
The January transfer window will soon be upon us. Once Christmas dinners are consumed and people are sick of watching Christmas films, focus will turn once again to football, and in a few days’ time, the opening of the winter window.
Liverpool have, naturally, been linked with an ocean of players since the closure of the summer window, and the odd placing of the World Cup this year has meant players who stood out in the tournament have also been linked with moves to sides across Europe.
Yet Liverpool could also sell a few players in January, a chance for the club to bring in some money and trim the wage bill a little. Here’s a look at who could leave, with it being a tellingly small pool to pick from.
Nat Phillips – The defender has been on the market for a while now, but as of yet no offer that has appealed to Liverpool has arrived. Liverpool could lower their demands for Phillips in January, which may tempt clubs to make offers, but he has made a couple of appearances this season. That said, he’s unlikely to make any more, but you never know with injuries.
Inside the final few months of their deals but highly unlikely to move:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – The midfielder has been on the margins of the Liverpool side for most of 2022, and with his contract running out, the club could decide to cut all ties now and sell him in January rather than lose him for nothing. Oxlade-Chamberlain has failed to make the most of the opportunities presented by Klopp, and there would be few protests over his eventual departure. But it seems unlikely, given they need more options, not fewer, that he would be allowed to go now.
Naby Keïta – Another whose contract is running down. Keïta is rated highly by Jürgen Klopp but his injury record has always held him back during his time at Anfield. Again, Liverpool could, in theory, sell him now rather than let him walk free in the summer. At this point, a departure seems inevitable to most, either in January or in the summer, but he could have a part to play yet this season.
Roberto Firmino – Even with only a few months left on his deal (the only reason he is inside this category), Liverpool cant afford to let him go. Losing him is unrealistic considering the injuries Liverpool have in attack, but like Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keïta, he’s in the final months of his contract and an extension is yet to be agreed.
Players who could go out on loan:
Bobby Clark – The youngster has been in and around the first team this season, making the odd appearance in the Premier League and the EFL Cup. Perhaps the 17-year-old could be loaned out to gain first-team football in January with more minutes at senior level likely to be sparse.
Ben Doak – Doak is the latest in a long line of youth prospects that has a very bright future. The Scottish winger sparkled in a brief cameo in the EFL Cup third round against Derby County, and he is another that should consider going out on loan to gain more experience, with Liverpool now out of the competition that Klopp usually uses to bed in youth products.
