Three quality players Liverpool will try to sign this January - and four they absolutely won't

With the January transfer window now open for business, we can expect to see a lot of new links and updates on exciting rumours floating around the Premier League. Liverpool are no exception as they charge towards what could another title at the end of the season.

The Reds had a busy summer window as a number of key players left the club, leaving a lot of gaps to be filled. They brought in four new midfielders but many couldn't help wonder if the focus on restructuring the engine room overshadowed other potential targets.

Now clubs can buy, sell and enter pre-contract talks with players, how many new deals are Liverpool likely to get over the line to kick off 2024? We've taken a look at some of the most high profile recent transfer links connected to Anfield and assessed them based on how likely they are to happen.

Won't sign — Kylian Mbappé

We'll start out with one of the more obvious ones, although it is impressive that Liverpool have remained linked to the global superstar for so long. As it stands, Kylian Mbappé is expected to leave PSG at the end of the season, as his current contract is due to expire in June. While Anfield has often been mentioned as his next potential destination, his future is unclear for the time being.

Real Madrid remain linked with Mbappé but the Frenchman — who has tallied 22 goals in 23 games this season — has recently said himself that he hasn't made a decision on his future yet, which may or may not be at PSG.

Could sign — André

The link may have gone cold between these two parties but it wouldn't be the first time Liverpool have done quiet business behind the scenes. André was a key target during the summer and in the months after the window closed. He may be heavily linked to Fulham now but interest always lingers and the Reds could still get their man this month.

Won't sign — Joshua Kimmich

It's no surprise that the versatile Joshua Kimmich has been heavily linked to the Premier League recently. Liverpool and Manchester United have been named as the leading clubs in the race for the German, according to recent reports, and with him into the last 18 months of his terms, a move is not out of the question.

Would Kimmich be a good signing for Liverpool? As a powerhouse confident in midfield, at centre-back and also right-back, he absolutely would be. But a January move seems very unlikely at this point, perhaps the summer will be a more likely opportunity.

Could sign — Maxence Lacroix

As Liverpool consider signing a new centre-back, journalist Dean Jones recently described Maxence Lacroix as someone the Reds will 'probably set out to sign' in 2024. Like all Premier League targets, the Reds are facing competition but with Joël Matip's contract ticking down and Joe Gomez attracting attention, there could be an opening for a starting centre-back in the near future.

Lacroix's contract runs out in 2025 and his value is said to have trebled since signing for Wolfsburg in 2020 for a reported €5 million (£4.3m). Liverpool's commitment to signing the midfielders they needed during the summer could be a promising nod towards their plans to strengthen the backline this month.

Won't sign — Jarrod Bowen and Leroy Sané

The time will soon arrive for Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah, and that could well be this year. The Egyptian superstar will soon be into the final 12 months of his contract and the Reds can't afford to pass up the opportunity to make a serious profit on him if Saudi Arabia remain interested.

While they consider their options, Liverpool have been linked to a number of potential replacements, including household names like West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, and Leroy Sané of Bayern Munich. While they would be strong replacements, there is no chance either club is letting their star forward leave halfway through the season. Salah will not be permitted to leave so soon either, so Liverpool have time to mull over their next move.

Could sign — Manu Koné

Another midfield target during the summer that didn't come to fruition, despite Liverpool admiring him for a while. Manu Koné has also recently been linked to Anfield again as reports from Germany claimed the Reds were 'still watching' him.

Jurgen Klopp will not need to sign more than one midfielder, if he chooses to readdress the engine room status at all. So if another deal comes through, it's unlikely Koné will remain a target. However, based on the previous links and Liverpool's failure to sign the likes of Roméo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo during the summer, they could revisit old links and provide some back-up or even competition for Wataru Endō in the No.6 role.