The January transfer window is now officially open in the Premier League. And, while it has become a particularly quiet period when it comes to player trading in the top flight, all clubs remain on the lookout to bolster their squads for the second half of the campaign.

Liverpool are no different, despite how well their season has been going under new head coach Arne Slot. A midfielder has been talked about since the move for Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad fell through, while there is also a debate over the long-term plans at left-back and at centre-half.

So far, the Reds are not expected to be active given their status as Premier League and Champions League leaders but that is not to say that the state of play cannot or won't change before the end of the month.

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With that in mind, the ECHO's Reds writers have provided a name each for who they would love to see the club bring in this month to strengthen the title charge.

Paul Gorst - Alexander Isak

At the risk of skirting the very edges of the agreed 'realistic signing' brief, I would love to see Liverpool aggressively and proactively seek a new No.9 in the shape of Newcastle United's Alexander Isak.

In more general terms, I believe the Reds are in need of a new centre-forward at some stage in the near future. Diogo Jota is yet to stay fit for the entirety of a season since he moved from Wolves in September 2020, while doubts over Darwin Nunez persist and I am now of the opinion that the Uruguay striker won't fulfil his potential at Anfield. The pursuit of an all-singing and all-dancing striker would quicken the pulse in January.

Isak has been sensational at St James' Park this term, registering 12 goals for the Magpies, with only Erling Haaland (14) and Mohamed Salah (17) ahead of the Sweden international. There have been suggestions that Isak is desperate for Champions League football, but the former Real Sociedad star made the point that he is not alone in that regard when it comes to top-level players when it was put to him after his goal helped Newcastle to a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Monday.

Liverpool would be able to virtually guarantee that for next season and while the fee might stray into the 'unrealistic' territory, the Reds would be well placed to offer prospective targets an exciting future under Slot. Even for a squad who are absolutely flying, Isak would be a game-changer through the middle.

Hannah Pinnock - Milos Kerkez

I’m highlighting the position Liverpool ideally need to strengthen, as opposed to a set name. That area is at left-back and I really like Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth and have been impressed by him every time I watch him.

Richard Hughes’s links with Bournemouth and the player could work in Liverpool’s favour, while the 21-year-old will be very familiar with his national team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai. There has been suggestions in the media Liverpool would rather target a different profile of left-back and Manchester United have also been linked, so it’s certainly just one to watch rather than get excited about at this stage.

But, whether it is Kerkez or somebody else, left-back feels like the one weak link in Arne Slot’s side this season. Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas have both struggled, either with form or injuries, at points this season so it’s undoubtedly a position that needs strengthening sooner rather than later.

I like the idea of a versatile defender that can cover both left back and left-sided centre-back, but acquiring one of those in January feels unlikely. Kerkez seems attainable in the upcoming window and would provide a major boost to the squad ahead of the second half of the season.

Stephen Killen - Marc Guehi

With talk around the future of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah - let's not lose sight of the next stage of evolution in this Liverpool team, and it's the heart of the defence.

A lot of the pressure and onus has been placed on Van Dijk, evident in his minutes for the Reds this season. The over-reliance will eventually come back to haunt Liverpool and the Dutchman's good form will not last forever - a reinforcement at the back is needed.

The blueprint for Michael Edwards and FSG in the past has been defenders in their early 20s with over 100 appearances. Marc Guehi is the perfect example for that. Aged just 24, the England international has played 116 times in the top-flight as well as 52 times in the second tier.

Should Guehi be seen as a direct replacement for Van Dijk? No, but one captain joining another adds to the wealth of leadership already at Arne Slot's disposal.

Newcastle expressed strong interest in the summer but saw as many as four bids rejected by the South London club. No doubt they will be back, however. Better still for the opportunistic eye of Richard Hughes, the Crystal Palace defender is out of contract in 18 months and with the threat of losing him on a free, Liverpool could hold the cards at the negotiations table