Liverpool transfer targets January 2025: Slot to beat Amorim to £50m left-back

Liverpool had a superb end to 2024, with the Reds sitting atop the Premier League and Champions League tables.

However, there are long-term concerns over the Reds’ squad. Here are some January Liverpool transfer targets we think could future-proof their squad.

Liverpool transfer targets

Liverpool have been the best side in Europe this season under Arne Slot’s management, but several key players have question marks over their futures, and could need replacing.

Most concerningly, Mo Salah is out of contract this summer, with the Egyptian hero recently stating there had been ‘no progress’.

Meanwhile, it looks near-certain that Trent Alexander-Arnold will depart for Real Madrid this summer, though Los Blancos have attempted to expedite that move. Virgil van Dijk also has only months left on his deal, but he is expected to sign eventually.

Elsewhere, it appears the ever-dependable Andy Robertson may finally need replacing, with the Scotsman just beginning to slow down, and Kostas Tsimikas only seen as a backup.

Anthony Gordon

Shockwaves were sent around English football when it was revealed Liverpool were in talks with Newcastle over signing Anthony Gordon this summer… and that the former Everton man was keen to join.

Gordon scored 11 and assisted 10 in the Premier League last season, and had an eye for the big occasions, with goals or assists against all of the top flight’s famed ‘Big Six’.

His searing pace, ball-carrying, end-product and knack for turning up when it matters most could go some way to helping replace Salah.

According to Fabrizio Romano, this deal could still happen. Liverpool are sold on Gordon, seeing him as the “future of their attack”, and that the 23-year-old is also keen to make the move happen.

The transfer expert said, “Newcastle asked for big money, and for Liverpool, that was way too much” in the first round of negotiations.

Gordon is clearly a good fit for the Reds. However, matters have been complicated by the Englishman’s new contract on Tyneside, which will see him become the club’s highest earner.

This new development will make Gordon’s acquisition potentially very, very expensive, and near impossible in January. In an interesting twist, the England winger has both given and taken away from the Reds in the title race.

He scored an equaliser against Manchester City and set up Alexander Isak’s winner against Arsenal to ensure Liverpool’s rivals dropped points, but also netted against the Reds at the start of December in their 3-3 draw.

The Reds are a determined side however, and could well make an audacious return for Gordon.

Nico Williams

Liverpool have been credited with a strong interest in Spanish Euro 2024 hero Nico Williams.

The Athletic Bilbao speedster had an incredible 2023/24, scoring five, assisting 11 in La Liga, and helping his club to their first silverware in 40 years.

He is one of the best one-on-one dribblers in the world, ranking in the 93rd percentile or higher for progressive carries and successful take-ons, and can play from the left or right.

The Spaniard has not started 2024/25 in the same explosive fashion, with two goals and five assists in all competitions so far, though his dribbling statistics remain among Europe’s best.

But given his extended summer break following Euro 2024, a slow start is perhaps to be expected.

Williams also has a £43m release clause in his contract, a bargain for a player of his calibre.

However, three stumbling blocks to this move are his huge €200,000 per week wages (which he reportedly would seek a raise on), competition from Premier League rivals like Arsenal, Manchester City and his loyalty to Bilbao.

But the biggest of all is that his release clause would likely have to be paid in full, in accordance with La Liga rules, making a £43m move deceptively costly up front, relative to other options on this list.

The 22-year-old’s devotion to his club saw him stay in the Basque Country this summer, and there’s no reason to believe trying to extract him from his boyhood club will be any easier in 2025.

Antonee Robinson

Moving back into defence, Liverpool are fortunate to have a long-term replacement for Alexander-Arnold in Conor Bradley, but they do not have that luxury at left-back.

Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has been of considerable interest to the Reds, with the 27-year-old arguably the best left-back in the Premier League this season.

Blessed with extraordinary pace, the USA international has picked up an impressive seven assists this season. Only Salah and Bukayo Saka have more.

But he is no slouch defensively, with the fleet-footed defender keeping Saka quiet when the Cottagers met Arsenal in December.

Robinson has all the attributes to replicate the dynamic, dominant presence down the flank that Robertson did in his prime.

He will not come cheap, with Fulham reportedly asking £45m for the full-back. However, one potential solution for the Reds is using Tsimikas as a makeweight with the Londoners reportedly interested in the Greek international.

They will have to act quickly, however, with Manchester United also keen on the American.

Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool’s loan star Ben Doak has been attracting plenty of interest this window, with the teenager proving to be one of the Championship’s best talents at Middlesbrough.

The Reds have reportedly rejected bids from Ipswich and Crystal Palace this window, with a firm ‘not-for-sale’ being their default answer.

However, high-flying Bournemouth have supposedly come into the frame recently, which presents the Reds with a tantalising opportunity to swoop for a target of their own.

The Cherries’ Antoine Semenyo has emerged as one of the Premier League’s finest wingers this season, with the Ghanaian international terrorising defences with his pace and trickery.

Andoni Iraola’s side have a valuation of at least £50m for the wide man, but could they be tempted by a Doak-plus-cash offering?

Milos Kerkez

Another Cherry eyed by Liverpool is reportedly Milos Kerkez, who is an alternative to Robinson as a left-back target.

The 21-year-old Hungarian has started every match for Bournemouth this season, providing energy and creativity up and down the left flank, while holding his own defensively.

One big advantage of going for Kerkez over Robinson is his age – the former AZ Alkmaar man is six years younger than Robinson, setting Liverpool up better for the long term.

But a similarity between the pair is that Manchester United are also chasing Kerkez as well as Robinson, with Ruben Amorim seeing him as ideal for the wing-back role in his 3-4-3.

Kerkez is believed to be rated at around £50m, and Liverpool are believed to be the player’s preference. It will not be easy to extract him mid-season, but Liverpool may try to bring forward this summer move regardless.

Joshua Kimmich

As mentioned above, Liverpool have fallen on their feet with the emergence of Conor Bradley at right-back. However, the seemingly inevitable departure of Alexander-Arnold leaves them a player light in the role, as well as on elite-level experience.

According to reports from Germany, however, the Reds are plotting a shrewd free transfer of their own, as they closely monitor Joshua Kimmich’s situation at Bayern Munich.

The 29-year-old has long been one of the finest full-backs in the world, with a supremely glittering trophy cabinet to show for it. Despite Bayern’s attempts to offer him renewed terms, Kimmich’s current deal expires at the end of 2024/25.

What makes this move particularly smart is the similarities between Kimmich and Alexander-Arnold stylistically. While not identical, the pair are both midfielder-ish full-backs, blessed with awe-inspiring passing ranges.

They even contribute in the final third at a similar rate, with 0.34 goals and assists per 90 for the Englishman, and 0.36 for the German.

Kimmich would ensure there is no immediate drop-off in the Liverpool starting lineup post-Alexander-Arnold, but his age means that he would not be an obstacle in the long term to Bradley.

Combined with the opportunity for Kimmich to prove himself in the Premier League at an elite team, this moves makes a lot of sense for both parties.

Mohammed Kudus

The final name on our list is West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, who has been strongly linked with a move away from the Queen Elizabeth Stadium as the Irons struggle in 2024/25.

Kudus was signed with the dividends of Declan Rice’s blockbuster move to Arsenal in 2023, joining from Ajax for £40m.

The Ghanaian attacker was the brightest spot in a fairly dull 2023/24 for West Ham. He scored 13 and assisted six in his debut campaign, including goals against Arsenal, Manchester United, and, most spectacularly, Manchester City.

Kudus has missed five games of 2024/25 on account of his violent conduct charge in a moment of madness away to Tottenham (a game in which he was shining), which may give Liverpool pause.

However, Kudus arguably saved manager Julen Lopetegui’s job with his assist for Jarrod Bowen against Wolves in December.

The 24-year-old is a different player to Salah, more of a direct one-on-one dribbler than the Egyptian, and no player completed more dribbles than Kudus’ 124 last season.

However, he can also create and score, and shown has excellent technique. It is scary to think of how a player of his talents could step up on a platform such as Liverpool’s and Slot’s record of getting the best out of his forwards.

Kudus is reportedly open to leaving West Ham as they continue to struggle in 2024/25. He is keen to return to the European stage, a given at Liverpool, and would relish the opportunity to step into the big shoes of Salah.

The Irons have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on the Ghanaian trickster this January transfer window, but he could likely be snagged for less if he were to push for a move.