Liverpool January transfer targets ranked as Trent Alexander-Arnold worry grows

Barring the sudden departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold calling for the need for a short-term solution at right-back, it would be a surprise if any winter Liverpool transfer walked into a big role with the club.

While the Reds have been linked with a bevy of bright attackers like Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush and Lille's Jonathan David, any incoming forward would face an uphill battle for immediate playing time.

Instead, Liverpool should target players who the club could either loan back to the selling club with the prospect of game-time next season or fill a currently unforeseen need in the squad. Here are the three players the Reds should target ranked in terms of immediate need:

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3. Loic Bade, Sevilla

Bade is a 24-year-old French international (yet to be capped) center-back playing for Sevilla. He earned a €12 million ($12.63 million) move to the Spanish side in 2023 after a successful youth career at Rennes.

The 6-foot-3 right-footed center-back plays exclusively on the right for Sevilla, meaning that he could come in as a future partner for the left-sided Virgil van Dijk.

Why would Liverpool be after a center-back? Ibrahima Konate is defying his normal injury luck with a clean bill of health so far this season, Jarrell Quansah appears stuck in Arne Slot's doghouse, and Joe Gomez may finally seek new pastures this summer with his contract set to expire in 2026.

2. Michael Kayode, Fiorentina

20-year-old right-back Michael Kayode broke out last season for Fiorentina, starting 22 league games and 31 in all competitions. He's found game-time hard to come by this season with the fitness of underrated starter Dodo in check.

Make no mistake: Kayode is one of the most talented right-back prospects in Europe. Slot has shown he prefers his fullbacks to hug the touchline and the young Fiorentina's heat-map is no exception.

Transfermarkt rates the player at €22 million ($23 million) and he could serve as long-term competition for Conor Bradley should Alexander-Arnold leave next summer. Liverpool could loan him back to Fiorentina for the rest of the season as the club gets its summer business done early.

1. Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid

Signing Real Madrid's starting defensive midfielder is certainly the most rogue shout on the list. The 24-year-old Tchouameni has long been a target for the club, as Jurgen Klopp made an ambitious push for the Frenchman in 2022.

While Ryan Gravenberch has impressed in holding midfield this season, he shouldn't be considered the long-term answer. The young Dutch star has never won tackles like this at any point in his career, even while playing in the Netherlands.

Tchouameni is the transitional destroyer - while still being strong on the ball - Slot will need to ultimately take his team to the next level. Should Alexander-Arnold leave for Madrid and if Tchoumeni finds himself second-choice behind a finally healthy Eduardo Camavinga, a move to Anfield could make sense.