Our Liverpool fans here in the Transfer Tavern were expecting more from the board in terms of transfers, especially after the lump sum they received after the sale of Phillippe Coutinho.

Liverpool have been brilliant this season up front with their blend of attacking and pressing football, though it’s the counterbalance in the backline which has let them down poorly at times and summed up their inconsistent season, despite sitting in a Champions League place.

Jurgen Klopp brought in Virgil Van Dijk within minutes of the window opening, and since then our local Liverpudlians have had nothing to get excited over, despite the obviously need for reinforcements in the squad.

Liverpool may regret not spending more in January when it comes to the end of the season, should they miss out on a Champions League berth for next season. With that in mind, our landlord has been taking a closer look at what two players Klopp should have brought in this winter to secure that Champions League place…

Jack Butland

The goalkeeper situation at Liverpool this season as summed up much about the backline story. Inconsistent and nobody really knows what is happening, forcing everyone into making quick, rash decision and ultimately costing the side. Indeed, many of our punters feel Klopp has failed to install a permanent No.1 between the sticks and this has led to much disarray.

In Butland, they would have had a young England international with a lot of promise and a bright future alongside Premier League experience.

Jonny Evans

The former Man United defender has been touted around many of the top six clubs this window and last, and with the signing of Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton, bringing in a new defensive partner wouldn’t have been a bad move. Though the aforementioned Dutchman is clearly an upgrade on the current lot, he can’t do it all himself!

Evans has a plethora of Premier League experience and a glut of trophies to back it all up. The Northern Ireland international would have been a steady rock in the defensive that VVD may have needed.