With the January transfer window now open, Adrian Clarke and Alex Keble assess each of the 20 Premier League clubs and pinpoint areas they need to strengthen.
Liverpool
Targets: Centre-back & holding midfielder
Injuries to Joel Matip plus left-backs Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson has left leaders Liverpool stretched for defensive options, so they could target a centre-back in January.
Joe Gomez is doing a fine job as cover at full-back, but Jurgen Klopp is currently too light on central defenders.
The Reds head coach would ideally perhaps prefer a player with the versatility to slot in at the back, or in a defensive midfield position. This is the reason why Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich and Japan international Ko Itakura have both been linked with moves to Anfield.
Liverpool’s attacking style has left their new-look central midfield exposed to counters and transitions this season. Facing 78 more shots than title rivals Manchester City, and 54 more than Arsenal, they can tighten up down the spine.
Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are on their way back from injury, and Wataru Endo has largely performed well in that position, but a lack of depth has forced Alexis Mac Allister to drop into this role when he would be more effective going forward.
A top tier holding midfielder must be on Klopp's radar.
Luton Town
Targets: Defence a priority
Two of Rob Edwards’ regulars are out of action for the foreseeable future in defensive midfielder Marvellous Nakamba and centre-back Tom Lockyer. Therefore, Luton may dip into the transfer market to replace them in the short term.
Loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga has been propelled into Nakamba’s role alongside the outstanding Ross Barkley, but the young Belgian is not known for being a robust, athletic presence who sits in front of the back four. Media reports suggest that Ecuadorian defensive midfielder Oscar Zambrano, 19, who plays for Quito, could be a key target.
The Hatters do have a collection of centre-backs at the club, but without Lockyer they lack leadership and experience.
Scoring in 15 of 19 matches, Luton have shown they can grab goals, but only one clean sheet - and a reliance on goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski - indicates that their priority should be making improvements at the back.
Luton would surely love to bring in a defender who has experience of playing at the highest level.
Manchester City
Targets: Left-back & central midfield
It will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola invests in a natural left-back this month.
He has used Joskvo Gvardiol, Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis in that position, but none of them have cemented their spot with consistent excellence in the role. Opponents have also targeted that flank, perhaps seeing it as a little imbalanced with players performing out of position.
Elsewhere, the possible departure of Kalvin Phillips on loan could free up a slot in central midfield for Man City.
With John Stones suffering an injury-hit campaign, Kevin De Bruyne just back from a layoff and Matheus Nunes yet to find his feet, it feels as if this could be their primary option in January.
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Bayer Leverkusen's Noah Mbamba, 18, is said to be on their shortlist, and they expressed an interest in West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta last summer too. Bringing in an extra midfield player would make sense.
Manchester United
Targets: Strengthen striking options
A poor first half of 2023/24 has highlighted the need for a major rebuild at Man Utd. Whether that involves a busy month of transfer activity at Old Trafford will be down to INEOS, who are running football operations after buying a 25 per cent stake.
However, before they do business it would be prudent to make key decisions on the tactical direction of the team, as well as tailoring a recruitment policy that suits their needs.
Many of United’s injured players such as Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Mason Mount are expected to return this month, but you still sense that several new faces are needed to reenergise a squad which is low on form and morale.
Erik ten Hag has not settled on a centre-back partnership, so that is one clear area that needs to be addressed. Upgrades are required.
The other is in attack, where Man Utd have been way below par, scoring a meagre 22 goals - the third-lowest total in the division.
Bringing in another striker to ease the load on Rasmus Hojlund would be smart, and they may be interested in adding a creative wide man too.
Eight sides have produced more shots from inside the box, with chance creation a real issue.
No individual has produced more than three assists, while Scott McTominay, with five goals, is their top scorer.
Newcastle United
Targets: Loan in a midfielder?
Eddie Howe’s squad has been stretched to the limit with an injury crisis hindering their progress this season.
Central midfield is the area Newcastle's head coach will address first. Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban and a host of absentees has left him with precious few options. A loan deal for Man City's Phillips could ease the strain in this department.
It has been too easy to slice through Newcastle’s midfield in 2023/24. They boast the fourth-worst expected goals against (xgA) in open play this season.
Nick Pope is expected to be sidelined until April, so the Magpies may also look to bring in a new goalkeeper on loan, and in forward areas Miguel Almiron’s place could be under threat after posting just four direct goal involvements so far.
Michael Olise is a name that has been linked, and for Newcastle to make improvements as a side, bringing in a young player of the Crystal Palace winger's quality feels a natural step forward.
Also in this series
Part 1: Arsenal to Brighton
Part 2: Burnley to Fulham
Part 4: Nott'm Forest to Wolves
