Liverpool remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League after a draw between them and their rivals, but questions are being asked about their January transfer plans.
Arne Slot oversaw a quiet summer spell, with Federico Chiesa joining from Juventus and Giorgi Mamardashvili set to join the squad after the 2024/25 season. Chiesa has been linked with a move away in January after struggling for game time, but Liverpool appear to be in no rush to let him go.
There is also the question of whether Slot should expand his ranks. Following Sunday afternoon's draw against Manchester United, Jamie Carragher claimed a new left-back should be a priority for the title chasers.
“I just think Andy Robertson, who is an absolute legend, stays steadfast every game,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “I don't think Kostas Tsimikas is the standard to come in and replace him. I think if Liverpool could get a left-back in January it would put Liverpool in a very strong position to win the league.”
Robertson has made more than 300 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Hull in 2017, winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. This season, however, the cracks are starting to show.
A red card against Fulham played a role in Slot's side losing points, while Robertson was found wanting on other occasions. At 30, some may feel he has reached the point where it is time to look at potential long-term replacements, especially if Tsimikas is deemed unequal to the task.
The pressing question is who is out there. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the contenders to take over from Robertson on Liverpool's left.
Bournemouth defender Kerkez is many fans' first choice, and it's easy to see why. The 21-year-old has room to grow as a player, but already has Premier League experience under his belt and has shown quality at both ends of the pitch.
He is also well known at Slot from his time in the Eredivisie. Hungarian international Kerkez had a breakthrough season with AZ in 2022-2023, helping the Alkmaar side reach the semi-finals of the Conference League and playing home and away against Slot's Feyenoord.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes helped bring Kerkez to England when he was at the Cherries, so he too had been aware of the defender's qualities for some time. With Bournemouth closing in on Argentine left-back Julio Soler, could they let Kerkez leave in January?
Fulham star Robinson may sound like a different version of Liverpool's left-back, but his name isn't the only similarity. The US international moves brilliantly up and down the pitch, and demonstrated this against the Reds in December when he scored both Cottagers' goals in a 2-2 draw.
He also captained Marco Silva in that game, one of several times he has done so this season. His leadership has led to an impressive end product, with no other defender able to match his seven assists this season.
At 27, former Everton youth star Robinson is older than some of the other names on this list. However, this season he has been an ever-present in the competition, in a position that demands energetic performances time and time again.
Wolves man Ait-Nouri has been linked with Liverpool in the past, with his attacking contributions catching the eye. Three goals and five assists this season are already his best return since moving to the Premier League, and it has taken him just 18 games to reach that total.
He was on target when Wolves met Liverpool earlier this season, popping up in the six-yard box to take advantage after some lax defending from Slot's team. However, with Molineux struggling for clean sheets at the start of the season, some may wonder whether Ait-Nouri would be able to fulfill the defensive responsibilities required to succeed at Anfield.
The Algeria international may not come cheap as he is still under contract until 2026, with Wolves having an option for a one-year extension. He would also likely miss a few games at the Africa Cup of Nations, although this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.
Liverpool may decide they need cover on both flanks, while Trent Alexander-Arnold could be on his way to Real Madrid. If that proves to be the case, Nottingham Forest defender Aina could be the solution.
Interestingly, Aina was brought in by Hull in the summer they lost Robertson to Liverpool. The defender mainly played as a right back after joining on loan from Chelsea, where he started his career, but also played a number of games on the left.
Aina will also be away at AFCON, with Nigeria, and at 28, he is at a different stage of his career than some of the others on this list. However, Liverpool may decide that his versatility and ability to get forward on either flank is a reasonable trade-off.
If Liverpool choose to look outside the Premier League, Barcelona striker Balde could be an option. The young Spaniard is reportedly of interest to Paris Saint-Germain, who themselves face the prospect of losing Nuno Mendes to Manchester United.
Balde has been a regular under Hansi Flick this season and helped Barca mount a title bid. He also played for Spain at the 2022 World Cup, although an injury kept him out of La Roja's race to Euro 2024 glory.
It remains to be seen whether Balde's club would listen to bids in January, and whether he would even want to leave after the nonsense talk of a move away in the summer. However, amid a sticky situation surrounding Dani Olmo's registration, it may be worth testing the waters.
Bayern Munich's Davies is in high demand, with many clubs on alert before his contract expires in June. Suitors are welcome to talk to the Canadian about a possible pre-contract deal, but Bayern could be tempted by the prospect of a bid in January to boost their coffers.
Despite the contract situation, Davies does not appear to have ruled out a stay at the Allianz Arena. However, Real Madrid and Manchester United appear willing to offer him a way out, and Liverpool have also been linked.
A converted winger, the former Vancouver Whitecaps player won't face too many questions about his ability to contribute in an attacking sense. The 24-year-old has averaged a goal or assist every four games in the Bundesliga and Champions League. His goal against Real Madrid in last season's European semi-finals brought Bayern within minutes of the final.