What would constitute a successful January for Liverpool?

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January has been a strange month for Liverpool in recent years. Last season, in four weeks they went from title contenders to clinging onto a top four place, yet this year it could be even more decisive.

Last January, Sadio Mane’s trip to the African Cup of Nations was given as the main reason behind a lack of clinical finishing which saw the Reds drop points against the likes of Sunderland and Swansea, whilst being knocked out of both cup competitions by Southampton and Championship side Wolves.

This campaign, Mane has never got up to speed after missing out on the start of pre-season as he still overcame a knee injury picked up in the Merseyside Derby in April.

He had five more goals at this stage last season and he has struggled to come to terms with the fact that it is Mohamed Salah who has taken up his role as the star man in attack. If Mane can regain that form which saw him heralded as one of the best signings of last summer, then it will be like a new signing for Jurgen Klopp.

Injury to Salah, who is expected to be sidelined for two weeks, has the potential to throw a spanner in the works. Like Mane’s absence in January 2017, others must step up in his place.

The positive for Liverpool is that there is now a much greater strength in depth in the squad, and they should be able to cover him, but that assumption is based on a reliance that the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produce the goods when it matters most.

At the other end of the field, the best news of January came in December with the signing of Virgil Van Dijk. His rapid integration will be crucial, as it is now a year since he was at his best. Injury saw him miss the second half of the season last year and it was clear that his head was already at Anfield after the transfer window closed in the summer.

There mere presence of the Dutchman may be enough to spark an improvement from the likes of Dejan Lovren, but Jurgen Klopp will want to see him get up to speed as quickly as possible and become a fixture in the Liverpool defence.

In the immediate future, there is not a major need for more signings from Liverpool. Most recent rumours have been regarding further reinforcements for the summer, with Klopp having made it clear that he is not keen on January reinforcements unless absolutely necessarily.

That reluctance last January cost Liverpool dearly as it exposed their lack of depth, but this year there is no such weak link in any one particular position. Improvements are needed in goal and in midfield, but it seems unlikely that Klopp will look for a quick fix in either of those roles.

More importantly, the club will be desperate to retain the services of Philippe Coutinho. It seems inevitable that his long term future lies away from Liverpool, but Mundo Deportivo say that Barcelona will return with a renewed attempt to sign him this month.

With a Champions League campaign to focus on and a top four place to seal, Coutinho’s presence for the second half of the season could prove to be make or break.

Emre Can is also a major concern, which is not attracting anywhere near as many headlines. Another young player with potential to be a key figure for years to come, he is now into the final six months of his contract.

Sky in Italy say that Juventus are tracking the German, but Liverpool do not appear to have given up on hopes of convincing him to remain on Merseyside. If they can tie him down, it would be a great piece of January business by the club.

Finally, there are results on the field. Cup progress against Everton in a derby in the FA Cup is crucial and could represent their best chance of silverware this season.

Then comes a tough fixture at Anfield against Manchester City. Whereas the Reds’ record last season against their nearest rivals was impressive, this campaign it has been less convincing. City are by far and away the best side in the league, and if Liverpool want to push for second spot they will need to show their credentials in this clash.

The two final games of the month are the kind of games which cost the club dearly only a year ago. Trips to Swansea and Huddersfield are potential banana skins which Liverpool must prove that they can overcome, just like they did with a tricky visit to Burnley in the first game of 2018.

There is no denying that this Liverpool side has huge potential, but it remains a work in progress. The fruits of Jurgen Klopp’s labour may not be ready just yet, and January is unlikely to prove a pivotal moment in that journey, but it must not be a time in which the club let their progress wane away either.