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This has been one of the most difficult campaigns in Liverpool’s recent history with Jurgen Klopp witnessing performances rather symbolic of his opening year at Anfield.

Indeed, the Reds head into the World Cup break sitting in sixth place, seven points off Tottenham who round off the Champions League spots.

It is some way back for Klopp’s men but with a productive January window, they could boost their hopes of dining at Europe’s top table again next term.

A set of sensational moves have been touted of late, with Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko on their radar.

Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is another name to have been mooted with a switch to Anfield but perhaps the most eye-catching of links is to Cody Gakpo.

According to reports in Italy, Liverpool are in pole position to acquire his signature and if they could bring him to England, it would be superb business.

Gakpo has simply taken European football by storm this term, registering some truly outstanding numbers in the final third.

Only last season, the former Leeds-linked attacker scored 21 goals and registered 15 assists but he already looks like bettering that in 2022/23, with the Dutchman finding the net on 13 occasions, while supplying a truly staggering 17 assists.

That just so happens to be four more goal involvements than Erling Haaland has achieved this term, with that fact a clear indication of just how good Gakpo is.

His form throughout 2022/23 has led to a great deal of praise, none more so than from journalist Josh Bunting who claimed he is a “beautiful player to watch.”

That is rubberstamped by further statistics over the last 365 days, with the Netherlands international ranking in the top 4% of players outside of Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes and in the best 5% for dribbles completed.

What makes matters even better is that the 23-year-old is in the top 1% of players in the last year for key passes per 90.

With that in mind, Bunting’s assessment that he is “up with the best young players in Europe right now” is a rather correct one.

Liverpool appear to be rather well-stocked for offensive options with Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all in their ranks. However, adding Gakpo to that would only elevate their potential for future success.

Firmino and Salah, albeit still blessed with immense quality, are no spring chickens so preparing for a future that includes Nunez and Gakpo in their frontline is a mouthwatering thought.

That said, in order to seal the signing of the £34m-valued ace, they will need to hope his World Cup campaign isn’t too awe-inspiring.

The young forward, who can play through the middle or on the wing, is set to truly burst onto the scene this winter with the nine-cap sensation forming part of a squad who could well be dark horses for the competition.

With an in-form Gakpo in their side, few would bet against Louis van Gaal’s side going far. If they do so, it would not be a surprise if Liverpool are scouting him every step of the way. It would be a mistake on their part if they don’t.

Tottenham Hotspur, and sporting director Fabio Paratici by extension, are ‘readying’ a move for Slovakia international Milan Skriniar, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Paratici planning?

The Spurs transfer chief oversaw one of the club’s most active windows in recent memory over the summer, completing eight major signings in total including a permanent deal for Cristian Romero.

Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie joined the Argentine in putting pen to paper on permanent moves to N17, and reports suggest that the Premier League giants could also make more moves in 2023.

Most recently, Tottenham have been linked with a move for Skriniar, who is set to be out of contract at his current club Inter Milan next summer as things stand.

The Latest: Spurs ‘readying’ Skriniar move…

A new report has shared an update on the north Londoners and their possible swoop for the Slovakia centre-back.

It is claimed that Spurs and Paratici are one of the many clubs ‘readying moves’ for Skriniar with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea also expressing interest.

90min claim that the Lilywhites, alongside this long list of English big-hitters, all ‘remain in contact with Skriniar’s agent’ to keep informed of his contract situation.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Signing Skriniar for a free next summer would be a brilliant move by Paratici, especially considering the player’s brilliant performances in Serie A.

As per WhoScored, no Nerazzurri player has made more blocks per 90 or averaged a better pass accuracy (92.1%) than the 27-year-old, leaving little wonder as to why he is a mainstay in Simone Inzaghi’s side.

Members of the Italian press have raved over the ‘monster’ defender in the last two seasons, and Tottenham could sign an elite ball-playing centre-back colossus for nothing if all goes to plan.

Scottish champions Celtic are reportedly eyeing up a move for Canada international Alistair Johnston, as Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou seeks to further strengthen his backline in the winter window.

What’s the word?

According to The Scottish Sun, the Old Firm outfit are said to be ‘weighing up’ a move for the 24-year-old in the New Year, with the Parkhead giants having only recently bolstered the backline with the signing of Japanese centre-back, Yuki Kobayashi.

The suggestion is that Johnston – who joined current side CF Montreal for £800k last December – could well be a replacement for Josip Juranovic at right-back, with the latter man having been tipped for a departure in recent times.

The report reveals that Postecoglou is said to be an ‘admirer’ of the 31-cap sensation, with the former Yokohama Marinos boss having already admitted that he is eyeing up a “couple” of additions in the New Year.

‘Starring’ at the World Cup

Adding Johnston to the Glasgow side’s ranks could well prove to be yet another coup for the Bhoys, with the Vancouver-born machine having been in impressive form at club level in recent times, scoring four goals and laying on four assists in his 33 MLS outings this year from his wing-back berth.

That talent has also been replicated on the international stage with the defender now “starring” in Qatar, according to Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth, with the former Nashville man – who can also operate at centre-back if required – having impressed on his World Cup debut against Belgium on Wednesday evening.

Despite the eventual 1-0 defeat, as the Red Devils sealed the points through Michy Batshuayi, the 5 foot 11 ace showcased his quality in his role on the right of a back three, notably recording three key passes from his 65 touches as a sign of his attacking intent, while also registering a shot on target.

The forward-thinking asset was also firmly up for the challenge against the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne having recorded two tackles on the night, with his solid match rating of 6.6, as per SofaScore, having perhaps not been a true reflection of his overall performance.

Having put in a ‘blood and thunder performance’ – in the words of 90min’s Chris Smith – Johnston seemingly lived up to his own assessment as being a touch-tackling and ferocious asset, having revealed his love for a battle following his Ice Hockey roots:

“I played hockey competitively in the winter and then soccer in the summer, and I was always known as a guy who loved to bodycheck and to hit guys. I’ve always loved the feeling of just laying someone out, as crazy as that sounds, and I just brought that attitude into soccer.

“I love a good tackle to this day. Nothing gets me more excited [than] if I get clattered into by an opponent or I clatter into him and it’s clean and the guy starts pushing me back.”

Not just a no-nonsense talent, however, the full-back also offers a threat in an attacking sense, with that showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% in his position for assists, as per FBref, as well as in the top 9% for dribbles completed.

That all-round quality could well make Johnston an astute capture as far as those at Celtic Park are concerned, with Postecoglou likely to be keeping a close eye on how he continues to perform on the global arena.

Everton have been dealt a fresh blow in their pursuit of a highly-rated European star…

What’s the latest?

Reports in Italy have linked the Toffees with a move for the Serbia international in recent weeks and now journalist Pete O’Rourke has delivered a worrying claim on the matter to Football FanCast.

“The only problem for Everton right now is probably the transfer fee, I think it might be out of their reach for January for Lukic,” he said.

“I don’t think Torino will be willing to sell for anything less than £30m and I don’t think Everton could go to that right now.”

Lampard will be gutted

Despite a summer overhaul which saw the midfield revamped, it still seems like something is missing in that position.

Whilst Idrissa Gana Gueye returned, it is clear that time has crept up on the Senegalese stalwart, and with Amadou Onana it seems like his best role is still unidentified.

Therefore, to have brought in this Serbian whose position is so clearly defined would have surely stabilised the Merseyside outfit who seem in freefall.

The 26-year-old has often operated on the left of a midfield three but can sit deeper to dictate the play. This seems to be what he is most comfortable with, having overseen a variety of roles across numerous managers at the Turin club.

Although he has suffered during his side’s World Cup campaign, in the Serie A this season he is thriving.

Boasting a 6.95 average rating, he is maintaining an 89% pass accuracy whilst also averaging one key passe and 1.4 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

These statistics paint the picture of a combative deep-lying playmaker who can play that killer pass which the Toffees’ current midfield lacks.

One particular display back in 2020 led journalist Josh Bunting to describe him as “outstanding protecting the back three”, and given how Frank Lampard often seems intent on that being his favoured system, it could have seen them move one step closer to it.

For this reason, and the general lack of stability surrounding his midfield, the 44-year-old will be frustrated that his side are likely to be priced out of a move.

With other clubs reportedly sniffing around too, it might be a step too far for Everton to complete this deal.

Everton defender Michael Keane is set to leave Goodison Park on loan during the upcoming January transfer window. 

The Lowdown: Keane’s season so far

Having been a prominent figure for the Toffees last season, making 38 appearances across all competitions, things have been rather different this term. The defender has featured just three times for Frank Lampard’s side across the Premier League and Carabao Cup so far in 2022/23.

Now that the January transfer window is just a month away from opening, it seems as though the Merseyside club have made a decision regarding Keane’s future.

The Latest: Keane set for loan exit

According to a recent report from the Liverpool Echo, the Englishman is set to wave goodbye to Goodison Park during the upcoming transfer window.

The report adds that a Premier League trio consisting of West Ham United, Fulham and Leicester City are interested in signing the 29-year-old on loan from Everton.

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The Verdict: Would be ideal for Keane

Given the lack of playing time he has had this season, it’s easy to see why Everton think a loan move away from Goodison Park in January would be ideal for Keane.

Bearing in mind how Lampard has the likes of Conor Coady, James Tarkowski, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate as his other centre-back options, it seems unlikely that, injuries aside, Keane would get a significant haul of minutes across the second half of the season for the Toffees.

Despite the £80k-per-week defender being criticised for his “abysmal” performances in the past by Noel Whelan, that there are reportedly a host of clubs interested in signing Keane in January shows that he can offer something to prospective loan suitors.

If the centre-back can join a club in January on loan where he’d be able to play regularly, this could put him in a good position to return to Everton and have a better shot at breaking back into the team on Merseyside.

Some members of the media were bemoaning the injury suffered by Teden Mengi as Manchester United lost 1-0 to Real Betis in a friendly on Saturday evening.

The Lowdown: Preparations underway

Preparations are now underway for Erik ten Hag and his side to return to Premier League football, having arranged friendly games during the break for the World Cup in Qatar to get themselves back up to match fitness and sharpness.

The Old Trafford outfit went down 1-0 thanks to a Nabil Fekir goal early in the second half, but the fixture gave an opportunity for Ten Hag to look at some of the youngsters in the academy, as well as first-team squad members not at the World Cup.

The Latest: Mengi injury

Mengi was forced off with a hamstring injury early in the first half, which The Times journalist Charlotte Duncker labelled as ‘bad news’.

Manchester Evening News reporter Rich Fay described the injury as ‘awful’, citing that Mengi has had ‘rotten luck’ in that regard having had to be carried off on a stretcher, adding that the 20-year-old defender was ‘set to leave on loan’ in the January transfer window.

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The Verdict: Not ideal

The revelation that Mengi was set to leave on loan means that this latest injury is certainly not ideal for him or United.

The youngster has gained valuable experience on loan at Derby County and Birmingham City previously and has also played 79 times at youth level with the Red Devils, but he has only made two competitive appearances for the senior team (Transfermarkt).

The problem that Mengi has had is being able to keep himself fit, and the fact that he has had hamstring issues in the past makes this latest setback all the more worrying.

He will likely see the clash against Betis as a missed opportunity to impress Ten Hag going into the second part of the season.

Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis is believed to be attracting notable interest ahead of the January transfer window, following a stall in contract negotiations at Parkhead.

What’s the word?

According to the Scottish Sun, the 28-year-old could seemingly be set for a ‘life-changing’ move next month amid interest from a number of uber-rich Saudi Arabian sides, while clubs both in England and Germany are also believed to have registered an interest in his signature.

The report suggests that the Old Firm outfit won’t let the Greece international – whose existing deal is set to run until 2026 – leave on the cheap, however, with the Scottish champions set to demand a fee of around £6m if they are to sanction an exit next month.

This comes following speculation that talks over a new contract have hit an impasse in recent times, with the former VVV-Venlo man believed to be ‘unhappy’ at the failure to match his increased wage demands.

Postecoglou could strike gold

Despite the potential disappointment of losing a player who has scored 25 goals in just 50 games for the Hoops to date, title-winning coach Ange Postecoglou could well strike gold with the striker’s departure, with it looking as if the Glasgow side can make a sizeable profit on their initial investment.

Having been signed from the Netherlands for a fee of just £2.5m back in the summer of 2021, the Bhoys could now be set to take home more than double that figure if they can secure that £6m asking price, with such a sale set to prove astute business for the Scottish Premiership side.

Equally, despite the striker’s impressive goal return – having finished as the joint-top scorer in the league last term with 13 goals – the 11-cap machine has rarely been a regular starter in Postecoglou’s side, making only 22 starts in all competitions over the last 18 months or so.

As such, it may not prove too destabilising if the £12k-per-week “phenomenon” – as previously described by reporter Jeroen Kapteijn – is allowed to leave Celtic Park in the New Year, with teammate Kyogo Furuhashi still delivering the goods in attack with ten top-flight goals to his name already this season.

Equally, amid recent links to the likes of Gue-sung Cho and Ross Stewart, Postecoglou could well easily reinvest any funds from Giakoumakis’ sale to help fill the void, with the blow of losing the latter man set to be eased by the potential funds that can be recouped.

Newcastle United have been mooted as a potential suitor for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, with the England skipper having yet to commit his future to the north London outfit.

What’s the word?

As per transfer insider Dean Jones – in his column for GIVEMESPORT – the Magpies could well emerge as a possible destination for the 29-year-old should he look to move on from the Lilywhites in the near future, with the clinical marksman having just 18 months remaining on his existing deal in north London.

The journalist wrote: ‘Tottenham are waiting for the green light from Kane to initiate talks over a new contract and it is a big decision for the England captain.

‘As it stands Bayern Munich seem to be offering the most concrete and interesting proposal over a transfer. Such a switch would be a step up and virtually guarantees trophies. Kane would have to consider his family situation if he was to genuinely move abroad but interest from most Premier League clubs is difficult at the moment. Newcastle and Manchester United seem the only two that could potentially open up.’

As Jones mentioned, the England captain has notably been linked with a move to Bayern Munich in recent months, albeit with any such transfer likely to cost in the region of €100m (£87m).

Boldly ditch Wilson?

Bringing Kane into the fold would no doubt be a real coup for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, with the “world-class” asset – as described by pundit Graeme Souness – having been a consistently prolific presence in English football for almost a decade.

The Spurs academy graduate boasts a remarkable haul of 261 goals in 408 appearances for his current club, with that stunning tally including 195 goals in 297 games in his Premier League career.

At international level, the “goalscoring machine” – as previously described by Gary Lineker – has also racked up 53 goals in 80 caps, ensuring that he is now joint-level with Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer.

Despite the obvious disappointment of his recent penalty miss in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, the £200k-per-week striker has been a typically ruthless figure for both club and country for an extended period of time.

The addition of such a reliable goalscoring presence could well allow the Tynesiders the chance to boldly ditch current striker Callum Wilson, with the 30-year-old arguably not of the quality of his international colleague.

The former Bournemouth man has scored six goals in 11 league games so far this term in what has been a promising start to the campaign, although that is still only half of Kane’s tally, with the latter having scored 12 goals in 15 league outings.

Equally, Wilson has only twice reached double figures for league goals during his time on Tyneside and with the Cherries, with the Coventry native’s best tally having come during the 2018/19 campaign as which he netted 14 top-flight goals.

By contrast, the Tottenham talisman has netted at least 17 league goals per season since the start of the 2014/15 campaign, having proven himself a truly fearsome presence year in year out, while Wilson has regularly struggled for a consistent run in the team due to persistent injury woes.

The current Newcastle ace has performed admirably in recent years at St James’ Park, but should Howe be able to snap up Kane any time soon, it should well lead to the £46k-per-week marksman’s exit from Tyneside.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Piero Hincapie to the Premier League next year.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte are ‘studying the possibility’ of a move for the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back in 2023, who the Bundesliga side are reported to value at a figure in the region of €30m (£27m).

However, according to an earlier report by fellow Italian outlet CalcioMercato.it, Spurs are not alone in their pursuit of the 20-year-old, with the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan, Napoli, AS Roma and Inter Milan also believed to be keeping a very close eye on the Ecuador international ahead of the winter market.

Romero 2.0

Considering just how exciting a talent Hincapie undoubtedly is, it is not difficult to see why both Conte and Paratici would be interested in a move to bring the Leverkusen starlet to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next year.

Indeed, according to FBref, the £53m-rated talent currently ranks in the top 8% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for blocks per 90, in addition to the top 14% for tackles and the top 40% for interceptions – proving just how solid the 20-year-old already is in a defensive capacity, despite his tender age and relative lack of experience.

However, Hincapie also returns impressive metrics in possession of the ball, with FBref ranking the £20k-per-week youngster in the top 4% of his positional peers for dribbles completed per 90, as well as the top 21% for passes attempted and the top 32% for progressive passes – highlighting the Ecuadorean’s ability to both bring and play the ball out of defence.

Furthermore, the 24-cap international also poses a real threat in a creative capacity, with FBref also ranking the defender in the top 7% of European centre-backs for xAG – xG which follows a pass that assists a shot – per 90, in addition to the top 16% for shot-creating actions and the top 31% for assists.

As such, with the player who Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig dubbed both “dominant” and “tenacious” evidently being a centre-back who is strong in the tackle and in his reading of the game, as well as being confident while in possession, it is no surprise to see FBref list Tottenham’s own Cristian Romero as Hincapie’s second-most comparable player.

So, should Paratici manage to get a £27m deal over the line for the 20-year-old this January, not only would the Italian sporting director look to have sealed something of a bargain – as the defender’s reported asking price is £27m than his current market valuation – but he could also have unearthed Conte’s next Romeo-esque talent – an exciting prospect for all involved with Spurs.

Manchester United have been replenishing the ranks since the managerial appointment of Erik ten Hag from AFC Ajax earlier this year. 

United’s Dutch boss spent around £211m last summer, as per Transfermarkt, with the forthcoming transfer expenditure showing little sign of slowing down, with a host of winter targets outlined.

And now, according to French outlet Media Foot, the Red Devils have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of a new right-back, with Olympique Lyonnais marauder Malo Gusto reportedly the centre of a looming transfer bid. 

Diogo Dalot is unquestionably United’s first-choice option down the defensive right-flank, but with Aaron Wan-Bissaka both the only alternative option and far from trusted to play a regular role in Ten Hag’s plans – his start in the Carabao Cup against Burnley last week was only his second showing of the season – a fresh face could soon be deployed into the fold. 

Valencia 2.0

With the report stating that Man United could clinch a deal for the prodigious 19-year-old for €30m (£26m), the deal could well blossom into fruition in the coming weeks.

Due to his youth, Gusto could slowly integrate into the senior set-up, learning from Dalot – who followed a similar path after playing a largely peripheral role since his £19m move from FC Porto in 2018 – and serving as an understudy, hoping to impress when gifted inclusion.

The signs for his career trajectory are certainly promising; as per FBref, the talent ranks within the top 5% for passes attempted, the top 17% for rate of assists and the top 19% for interceptions, when compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year. 

And having made 14 appearances for Lyon in Ligue 1 this term, starting on each occasion, Gusto is already slotting the blocks into place, gaining valuable experience and nurturing his multi-faceted approach to his play.

Should Ten Hag get a deal over the line, he could gift the Theatre of Dreams with Antonio Valencia reborn, a new presence down the right with all the attributes necessary to flourish among eminent figures at one of football’s very greatest outfits. 

Valencia signed for United for £16m from Wigan Athletic in 2009, a versatile and pacy player that captivated fans with his dogged mentality and persistence as both a winger and a right-back over his lengthy stay at Old Trafford.

Making 339 appearances for the Manchester side, the Ecuadorian scored 25 goals and made 62 more, winning a host of major honours such as two Premier League trophies, the FA Cup and the Europa League, and Gusto, who might just be something “special” – as praised by one statistical site – could emulate the feats of a past star at Man United.

Indeed, he is equally as creative and like the former Red Devil, possesses the tools to play as a right winger and further back in defence. It might not be the most eye-catching of deals but Valencia more than proved to be a reliable pair of hands. Gusto may well be the same.