Football - FA Premier League - Ipswich Town FC v Liverpool FC IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 17, 2024: Liverpool s Sporting Director Richard Hughes C and Chief Executive Officer Billy Hogan R during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda IPSWICH Portman Road SUFFOLK ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-08-17-Ipswich_Liverpool-115
Liverpool are putting in the hard yards behind the scenes to prepare for the January transfer window when they want to back Arne Slot with funds to strengthen the squad.
Slot has made an instant impact on Merseyside and his Liverpool team are sitting at the summit of the Premier League table with 18 points from seven games.
Liverpool want to learn from the mistakes they made in the summer and properly back the new Reds manager in the January transfer window.
The Merseyside giants want to sign a defensive midfielder in January, which was a priority in the summer but Martin Zubimendi’s refusal to leave Real Sociedad thwarted their plans.
Liverpool are also looking at defensive reinforcements on the left side of the defence as both Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are on the wrong side of 30.
The Reds are watching several midfielders and defenders ahead of the winter transfer window and they had scouts for the game between Italy and Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico last week.
Liverpool scouts were joined by Arsenal and Manchester City as well
Liverpool scouts were at the game to watch a player from each team in their pursuit of a midfielder and a defender.
According to TBR Football, Belgium left-back Maxim De Cuyper was the player the Reds were watching and he was also being looked at by Arsenal and Manchester City.
Cuyper has emerged as an accomplished left-back and has solved one of Belgium’s problem areas with his performances.
He is currently at Club Brugge but there are suggestions that the Belgian giants are likely to cash in soon to take advantage of his growing popularity.
Italy defensive midfielder Samuele Ricci was also being watched by all three Premier League clubs as all of them are in the market for a player of his qualities.
Liverpool’s need for a defensive midfielder is well-documented, Manchester City are looking for a replacement for Rodri and Arsenal are keeping tabs on players who could become a long-term successor to Jorginho.
It remains to be seen whether either of the two players change clubs in January or are prepared to wait until next summer.
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