Liverpool supporters have been reasonably satisfied with their side’s efforts in the opening half of the 2017/18 campaign, with the Reds in a decent position from which to build and indeed compete on both the domestic and European stages come the New Year.

Jurgen Klopp’s men returned to the Champions League with a fourth place finish in the Premier League last season, and made the most of their first campaign in Europe’s elite competition since 2014 by winning Group E ahead of Sevilla, who of course beat them in the Europe League final back in 2016. And with a solid enough start in the Premier League as well, albeit it looking extremely likely to be another season without winning the title, the Merseysiders are well-placed going into the second half of the campaign to secure a second successive top four finish.

Thus, our resident Liverpudlians are reasonably happy with their team’s endeavours so far, although many feel that it is imperative their side bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window to bolster their chances of success in 2018.

And one man they’ve been linked with in recent times is Atletico Madrid defender Sime Vrsaljko, a right-back who has struggled for regular football under Diego Simeone since moving to the Spanish capital back in 2016.

As such, Liverpool are reportedly interested in bringing the 25-year-old Croatia international to Anfield in January, and were they to indeed clinch a deal for Vrsaljko, here are TWO other stars who could follow him to Merseyside in the New Year…

Leon Goretzka

Leon Goretzka’s future at German club Schalke has been subject of speculation for a while now, what with his contract up at the end of the season and as of yet no extension agreed.

The 22-year-old midfielder has gone from strength to strength with the Bundesliga outfit in recent times and started this term well as well with four goals in 11 games, before injury hindered his progress.

Nonetheless, his unclear future at Schalke has reportedly attracted the attention of several sides around Europe, one of which being Liverpool, who could well lose Emre Can in January as well in a similar situation.

As such, they must seek to land Goretzka in the New Year.

Mateo Kovacic

23-year-old Mateo Kovacic made the move to Spanish giants Real Madrid back in 2015, and although he has made 82 appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side since then, only nine have come this time round.

Thus, his future at the Bernabeu has been subject of speculation in recent times, with Klopp’s Liverpool one side reportedly interested in luring the Croatia international away from the European champions in January.

And with the future of Reds midfielder Emre Can far from certain, it’s a deal Klopp’s men must look to strike when the window reopens in January.