The Liverpool supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern might not be feeling as optimistic as they were at the end of 2016 with the club winning just one of their eight matches in 2017 – exiting two cup competitions in three days as a result…

Despite the loss of form, it doesn’t seem as though manager Jurgen Klopp feels that he needs to strengthen his squad, although the German has been boosted by the return of forward Sadio Mane from the African Cup of Nations after Senegal were eliminated – the Reds fans standing at the bar are rejoicing about this.

The landlord may have felt they needed new blood in a couple of crucial positions in the team in order to boost their hopes of making a late charge for the Premier League title, but for now, Klopp will have to make do with what he’s got. Significantly, this is something that the German could come to regret…

Here are TWO January transfer mistakes that could cost Liverpool this season…

Not Signing a Left-Back

It is clear to the majority of the Liverpool supporters in the Transfer Tavern that while James Milner is doing a fine job for the Reds in an unfamiliar left-back position, the club needs a long-term natural option there.

With Jurgen Klopp failing to be impressed by Alberto Moreno – which wouldn’t have been helped any further in the defeat to Wolves at the weekend when the Spaniard was beaten too easily for the Midlands outfit’s second goal – Milner has filled the gap in defence and put in consistent performance after consistent performance – the landlord has certainly been impressed by his showings.

However, the attacking play of the full-backs can be crucial to how Klopp’s side plays, and as the former England international is right-footed, it does make it difficult when quick decisions are needed in the final third.

Not Signing a Striker

The fine goalscoring form of the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana earlier in the season meant that Liverpool weren’t really missing a striker – Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi often found themselves on the substitutes’ bench.

However, with Mane absent at the African Cup of Nations and Firmino and Lallana looking to have lost their touch in front of goal in recent weeks, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp may regret not bringing in a top-class striker during the January transfer window – the landlord believes the Reds are crying out for a clinical finisher.

Sturridge has scored just six goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside outfit this term and the England international had a number of clear-cut chances in the League Cup defeat to Southampton last week – all of which he missed – which won’t have convinced Klopp, or the fans standing at the bar, that he has a long-term future at Anfield.

Do you agree, Liverpool fans? Let us know below.