Liverpool supporters have been in fine voice in the Transfer Tavern in recent times after seeing their side return to form with four victories in a row, the latest of which a comfortable 3-0 success over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into the international break having easily beaten Huddersfield Town, Maribor, and West Ham, and would have viewed a home clash with Mauricio Pellegrino’s Saints as the perfect chance to record a fourth win on the spin. And they did just that at Anfield on Saturday as a brace from Mohamed Salah as well as a second half Philippe Coutinho strike secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Klopp’s side, who remain in fifth place in the Premier League table on goal difference ahead of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
Thus, there have been many delighted Liverpudlians in the Tavern this weekend, many of whom are eagerly anticipating their team’s return to Champions League action on Tuesday night, where the Reds will hope to book their place in the last 16 with victory at Spanish outfit Sevilla.
In the meantime though, there has been plenty for those Liverpool fans lining up at the bar to get their teeth into, not least recent reports which suggest that summer target Virgil van Dijk could well be on the move from Saturday’s opponents Southampton in the January window.
The Netherlands international was heavily linked with a move away during the close season and even submitted a transfer request to try and force through a move to Anfield, only for him to remain at St Mary’s beyond the August 31 deadline.
Yet the future of the 26-year-old remains far from certain and reports suggest that he could well leave the South Coast club in January, and were he to indeed make the move to Liverpool, here are TWO other stars who could follow him to Anfield in the New Year…
Stefan de Vrij
Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij has been in impressive form in the heart of the Serie A side’s backline in recent years, and as such could be the ideal centre-back partner for compatriot van Dijk at Anfield.
The 25-year-old has made 85 appearances for the Italian giants and played a key part in their ascent to fifth place in the top-flight last season, and did look set to pen a new deal at the club earlier this week.
However, reports suggest that contract negotiations have stalled, which is surely going to be of interest to Reds chief Klopp, who has seen his current defence concede 17 goals in just 12 Premier League games this term.
Landing de Vrij could aid them in bringing that number down to a level needed to compete for the title.
Leon Goretzka
Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka has seriously impressed in the heart of their midfield in recent times, but his future appears to be away from the Bundesliga outfit.
The 22-year-old made the move to the German club back in 2013 and has since played 128 times, netting 19 goals and laying on 13 assists in the process.
And with four goals in just nine league matches this term, Goretzka continues to go from strength to strength, although his current contract at Schalke is due to expire at the end of the campaign, and so far no extension has been agreed.
Recent reports suggest that Juventus are in pole position to land the Germany international, although Liverpool have been linked with his services as well and may just be able to get a deal done before the Serie A giants in January.
