Liverpool Transfer News: Reds ready for January with Alexander-Arnold and Camara on the radar

We may be less than three months into the current Premier League campaign, but Liverpool’s attention will already be turning to the January transfer window.

The Reds are in need of mid-season recruits despite their respectable start under new boss Andoni Iraola, as returning sporting director Julian Ward begins reshaping the team in his own image.

Liverpool spent big in the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola headlining a list of four first team-ready arrivals that cost a total of £190 million – rising to £237 million if they make Ronald Araújo’s loan deal from Barcelona permanent.

But there are still areas the Merseysiders urgently need to address, such is the imbalanced nature of their squad as things stand.

So, which positions will the club prioritise, during a window that is notoriously difficult to operate in?

Ahead of this evening’s Champions League clash with Fenerbahçe (5.45pm GMT), we assess how Liverpool should approach the transfer market this January…

Trent to return?

Araújo has excelled as a makeshift right-back since moving to Anfield on loan, but there are doubts over his long-term suitability in that position.

After all, the 27-year-old is a centre-back by trade, which is reflected in the strengths and limitations he has displayed so far this season.

Liverpool’s No.33 may be impressive defensively, however he lacks the attacking dynamism that Iraola desires from his full-backs.

With Jeremie Frimpong consistently failing to impress and Conor Bradley struggling with injury issues, there is a clear need to strengthen this position – and one obvious solution.

Former Reds star Trent Alexander-Arnold, 28, has struggled since joining Real Madrid back in 2025, failing to truly nail down a first-team berth under three successive coaches.

With only four La Liga starts to his name this term and Federico Valverde often being played out of position ahead of him, a January move elsewhere could appeal to both the club and the player.

A complicating factor in any deal is Alexander-Arnold’s difficult relationship with the Anfield faithful, who perceived his free transfer to Madrid as something of a betrayal.

Pragmatism tends to come to the fore in football, though, and it is hard to imagine many Liverpool fans being upset at the return of a high-quality player if it increases their chances of silverware.

A loan deal may suit all parties here, as well as making this a budget-friendly solution for Liverpool to pursue.

Focus on Camara

Liverpool have looked more impressive in Europe than domestically this season, thanks in part to the Premier League’s highly physical nature.

That is less of a concern in the Champions League, allowing Iraola’s outfit to produce swashbuckling performances against LASK and Villarreal – scoring ten goals in the process.

Supporters will hope for more of the same at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium this evening, but the Reds will need to add combative players to their ranks to truly compete domestically.

Despite a commendable display from youngster Trey Nyoni, there was a lightweight quality to Liverpool’s midfield against Arsenal on Sunday, highlighting the need for a player who can dominate in the centre of the park.

Monaco’s Lamine Camara could be that player, amid reports the Merseysiders may launch a £42 million bid for the Senegalese enforcer.

Camara came within a whisker of joining Chelsea on deadline day, before the move collapsed in spectacular circumstances.

Les Monégasques believed they were on the verge of selling Folarin Balogun to Everton – fulfilling their financial requirements for the summer – so pulled out of the Camara deal.

However, Balogun’s last-minute decision to reject Everton means the 22-year-old is now back on the market, though Monaco could look for up to £60 million this time around.

That’s still a reasonable fee by current Premier League standards, though, for a player who has posted some remarkable numbers in Ligue 1 this season.

Nobody in France’s top tier has regained possession more times in the middle third than the 50-cap international (48), while he also ranks third for total tackles to date (31).

And it was a similar story last season, when Camara also excelled at regaining the ball in the attacking third – doing so 21 times across 1,851 minutes.

Recruiting a midfielder of that ilk would significantly boost Liverpool’s prospects for the remainder of 2026/27 and beyond.

Market opportunities

Clubs need to be nimble and reactive during the January transfer window, as opportunities arise from moves elsewhere in the market.

As such, we may see Liverpool address some of their longer-term squad building priorities if the right deal materises.

They could recruit for a youthful Virgil van Dijk replacement, for example, with the Dutch defender now 35 and with his contract expiring in June.

The Merseysiders are also yet to replace Mohamed Salah with a primarily right-sided winger, as Barcola prefers to operate on the left.

But there have been links to players in neither of those positions, too – signings that would be too good to turn down if they become available for an achievable price.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is one such example, with the Cherries believed to be willing to sell their crown jewel if a £100 million bid is received.

However, Chelsea appear to be in pole position for the 23-year-old midfielder, who has just over 18 months remaining on his current deal.

Another surprise option is Bayern Munich starlet Lennart Karl, 18, amid suggestions Die Roten could countenance a £50 million move for the No.10.

Whether either of those transfers comes to fruition remains to be seen, but do not rule out a surprise arrival at Anfield this January, if an unexpected player appears on the Reds’ radar.