Liverpool supporters have been reasonably satisfied with their side’s efforts in the first half of the 2017/18 season, what with the Reds well placed in both the Premier League and Champions League for further success in the second half of the campaign.

Jurgen Klopp’s men finished fourth in the English top-flight last term to return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2014, and they will participate in it in the New Year after winning Group E ahead of Spanish side Sevilla, who of course got the better of the Reds in the Europe League final last year. And with the Merseyside giants well placed in the Premier League table for another shot at a top four finish come the end of the season, things are certainly looking up for our resident Liverpudlians heading into 2018.

However, many of those Reds fans lining up at the bar feel that further reinforcements will be needed in the January transfer window for their team to achieve their goals come May, and one man they have been linked with in recent times is Roma’s Emerson Palmieri.

The 23-year-old was reportedly on Klopp’s wish-list over the summer but injury thwarted their chances of a deal, yet reports recently have suggested that the Merseysiders remain keen on a deal, and could well land the left-back for just €20 million in January.

However, Klopp should forget about a move for the defender, and instead target one of these TWO left-backs in the New Year…

Philipp Max

Ausburg defender Philipp Max has been making huge strides at the German outfit in recent years, so much so that he has attracted much interest from several clubs around Europe.

The 24-year-old has scored one goal and laid on a staggering nine assists in just 16 Bundesliga matches so far this season, and it’s form which has reportedly attracted the attention of Tottenham, Manchester United, and indeed Liverpool.

And with the Reds ideally needing a left-back in a bid to solve their defensive problems, they could do a lot worse than make a move for Max come the New Year.

Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand left Chelsea for Southampton back in 2014 first on loan and then permanently a year later, and he has since gone from strength to strength to the point that he is now England’s first choice left-back.

The 28-year-old has played 124 games for the Saints in recent years and has certainly proven his worth both offensively and defensively, highlighted by three assists for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side already this term.

And given that Liverpool were reportedly interested in the defender during the summer, they should seek to reignite a deal for the Englishman, especially given that Man City are also thought to be interested in the 28-year-old.