5 players who have been linked with January moves to Liverpool

Liverpool are doing well in the Premier League and the Champions League this season. They have also managed to make it to the EFL Cup semi-final, where they will be taking on Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp has the squad he wants, but players have been linked with moves to Anfield in January. The main concern for the Reds right now is a short-term solution to cover the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane next month. Both forwards are heading for the Africa Cup of Nations, and that will leave just Firmino and Jota as the experienced forwards, with Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino as the other options.

Here are five players who have been linked with January moves to Liverpool:

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#5. Adama Traore

Liverpool have been linked with Adama Traore for some time now, with reports suggesting a move could take place in January. The Reds need attacking reinforcements as Minamino is not doing enough to prove his worth.

Kevin Phillips believes the Wolves star will jump on the chance to join Liverpool this coming window and told Football Insider:

"Traore would jump at the chance to join Liverpool. You do not turn that opportunity down, even if you are going to sit on the bench a little bit. Traore has been at Wolves a while now. From Liverpool's point of view, £20million is a good price for player who can hurt teams from the bench."

Traore's contract at Wolves is also coming to an end soon and he is yet to pen a new deal at the club.

#4. Jarrod Bowen

Jarrod Bowen has been in fine form for West Ham United this season and has been automatically linked with a move to a bigger club in January. Liverpool have reportedly been tracking him for the past few months and the Reds are planning on making a move.

However, unlike the case of Adama Traore, Bowen has been playing regularly and is one of the best players for the Hammers. They are unlikely to let him leave for cheap if they do decide to cash in on the former Hull City man.

Liverpool are the only side linked with Bowen right now, and some reports claim they will make a big move for the Hammers star in the summer for sure if Mohamed Salah decides to leave the club.

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#3. Carney Chukwuemeka

Aston Villa's Carney Chukwuemeka is widely regarded as one of the best talents in England right now. The youngster has been linked with various Premier League clubs in the last year, with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United reportedly scouting him regularly.

Chukwuemeka has played just a couple of matches this season for Villa, and reports suggest he is looking for a way out. Liverpool have jumped the queue for the 18-year-old as per recent reports.

Gabriel Agbonlahor is not happy with his former side's top talent looking to leave the club and sent him a message:

"My message to him would be, Aston Villa is the best place for you to be. You might have clubs like Man City and Man United looking at you but you've got more chance of breaking through at Aston Villa and get minutes. When you get your chance take it. My advice would be to reject offers from Liverpool and everyone else, stay and sign a new contract with the club."

Chukwuemeka is yet to pen a new deal, and Liverpool could snap him up for cheap in January.

#2. Ronald Araujo

Liverpool have enough centre-backs in the squad right now, but with Nat Phillips confirming he is open to leaving the club in January, the Reds are said to be in the market for a replacement. Jurgen Klopp's side are looking to take advantage of Barcelona's current situation and lure Ronald Araujo, as per reports in the Daily Mail.

Reports claim Liverpool have already begun talks to sign the highly-rated defender, and he will be seen as a long-term replacement for Joel Matip.

#1. Raphinha

Raphinha has been Leeds United's best player this season, but it is clear that the Brazilian is close to ending his time at Elland Road. The winger is looking to take the next step in his career and Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing him.

However, Jurgen Klopp's men will have a lot to do to convince him to move to Anfield as reports in Brazil claim Bayern Munich have a deal to sign him. TNT Sports stunned football fans last week when they revealed a €50 million agreement between Leeds and Bayern for the winger.

Other sources have since denied the rumors, and that has given Liverpool a slight chance of luring him in January.