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Liverpool will make "a couple of big signings" – starting in January
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Liverpool are likely to make "a couple of big signings" as early as January, according to local club journalist David Maddock.
The Reds are flying high in the Premier League so far this season, with Jurgen Klopp's side holding an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Liverpool's stunning start to the season follows a summer where they chose not to bring in any major first-team signings, with Klopp happy with his current set-up for the most part.
The Reds boss has often stated his desire to only buy players if he truly believes they will add another dimension to the impressive squad he has put together at Anfield.
With Liverpool looking to consolidate their position in the league table and end their 30-year wait for the Premier League title, it's likely that Klopp will look to the market in search of someone who can give them an added impetus in the second half of the season.
That is, at least, according to the Mirror's reliable Maddock, who says he expects Liverpool to make a 'big signing' next month and another next summer.
"I believe there will be a couple of big signings. Maybe one in January and another in the summer," Maddock told LFC4Ar.
"But I don't think they will be superstar signings. Liverpool will stick to the model of finding players aged between 19 and 24, with potential to get better.
"They will still cost a lot of money though, because they want players from leagues where their stats actually mean something.
"Jurgen Klopp has said they are ready to go into the transfer market in January if the right player – one who 'can help' – comes up.
"He even said it's actually easier now to sign players in January, rather than the summer, because the Premier League window closes earlier than the rest of Europe in the summer.
"So [I would] expect a signing."
As is usual around this time of the year, Liverpool have already been linked to a whole host of players. The likes of Genk's Sander Berge and Lyon's Houssem Aouar are the latest to be rumoured targets for the Reds.
On the possibility of the duo, Maddock said: "Berge, no. Liverpool think Marko Grujic is a much better prospect and he's already a Liverpool player.
"He could come back in the summer and fight for a place, but he would need to pick up his form in the Bundesliga, which hasn't been good enough of late.
"Aouar is a wonderful player and Liverpool will have him on their radar, absolutely no doubt. He is one of those young players who still has the potential to grow.
"But everyone knows about him, so there will be competition [for his signing]."
After Liverpool agreed a deal with Nike for the American company to manufacture their shirts starting next season, there has been some unfounded talk over the Reds going for a marquee signing of the ilk of PSG's Kylian Mbappe.
Maddock admits Nike "would want a high-profile signing to coincide with their new deal." But there is very little chance of the Reds going in for the striker, as previously suggested by Klopp.
"Don't expect an Mbappe. That is still hugely unlikely. His price tag would be around £200m, maybe more. There's just no way Liverpool would pay that. So for there to be any chance, the price would have to come down significantly. With Real Madrid interested, I can't see that happening," he added.
A further name that has often cropped up is that of Dortmund's young English star Jadon Sancho.
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The attacker is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football, scoring five goals and assisting six times in 11 Bundesliga games this season.
However, it's unlikely Liverpool will make a move for the youngster, who is valued by Dortmund at around the £100m mark. It's a steep price for a player who would have to play second fiddle to the usual Liverpool attacking trio, at least for a season or two.
"If he came it would be as someone who is still only 19 and still learning his game. So he would be fed into the team, but not be a starter straight away," Maddock said.
"I would see him as being able to play either side of the front three, and possibly in behind too. He'd get a lot of games, but would be a replacement down the line – maybe two or three years – rather than immediately."
Whilst Liverpool are certain to add to their squad in the summer, it remains to be seen whether they make a move in the transfer market as early as January.
Considering Klopp's comments on how signing players in January is now easier, there is a fair chance that the Reds boss dips into the market to strengthen a squad that is challenging on all fronts this season.