The start of a new year means the opening of the January transfer window and the opportunity for sides to make mid-season improvements to their teams.

Typically, it’s teams struggling in the table who tend to do business during the winter market, not a problem that is applicable to Liverpool. In fact, Arne Slot has already confirmed that he doesn’t expect any arrivals in January.

“There’s nothing in the media yet about who we’re going to bring in? No? And also not in my mind,” he joked after Sunday’s win against West Ham United. “I’m very happy with the squad we have.”

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The big concern for Liverpool, as a new calendar year rolls around, is that three of its star men can begin negotiating with foreign clubs. Speculation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s futures will ramp up even further now as Liverpool faces the unwanted scenario of three first-team regulars leaving for free at the end of the season.

But January also offers the chance to speak to players elsewhere who have entered the final six months of their contracts. That only applies to those at clubs overseas, with Premier League players not approachable until the summer.

Of all the players Liverpool is now free to negotiate with, Jonathan Tah is perhaps the star name. The German international, who played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph in 2023/24, was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich last summer and is also a reported target for Barcelona. Should Van Dijk move on, Tah could be a possible solution.

But it’s left-back which is a more pressing concern, with Jamie Carragher recently stating that it’s the one area Slot should consider strengthening in January. If he were to wait until the summer though, Alphonso Davies could be an option on a free transfer.

The Canadian has been linked with a move to Anfield recently, while Real Madrid are also seeing their name pop up among the list of possible destinations. Elsewhere at Bayern, Joshua Kimmich is another player who might attract suitors from abroad. The 29-year-old could help address Liverpool’s lack of natural holding midfielder that led Slot to target Martin Zubimendi last summer.

Other midfielders entering the last six months of their contracts include former Manchester United star Angel Gomes, and Tom Bischoff, the 19-year-old at Hoffenheim who has played 13 times in the Bundesliga this campaign.

Devyne Rensch is another lesser-known player who could attract interest from Liverpool. The 21-year-old has established himself as a regular for Ajax and, with Alexander-Arnold’s departure a distinct possibility, the Reds could be on the lookout for a new right-back soon.

Finally, Jonathan David will not be short of interested parties now that his contract at Lille will expire in six months. The striker is a reported target for half of Europe’s elite clubs, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona among those said to be keen on the striker who has scored four Champions League goals in six appearances this term.