Liverpool could offload Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi to fund defensive signings in January

A report by Express claims that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could sell Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri and Belgian striker Divock Origi in the upcoming January transfer window.

Liverpool have used the January transfer window in the past to their benefit and the defeat to Serie A side Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League could push Klopp to sell Shaqiri and Origi. (h/t Express)

Liverpool made 5 changes going into the match against Atalanta but succumbed to a damaging 2-0 defeat at Anfield. Divock Origi started a rare match for Klopp but was withdrawn by the hour mark after a disappointing display.

Meanwhile, Xherdan Shaqiri missed the game due to an injury picked up international break. Shaqiri and Origi are both valued at £15m each and Klopp could be enticed to offload them in January to bring in defensive reinforcements. (h/t Express)

Before the game against Atalanta, Origi had just started twice. Shaqiri, on the other hand, has been blighted with niggling injuries throughout the season despite making telling appearances off the bench as an attacking midfielder.

Liverpool have a highly congested fixture list and Klopp would hence want players he could rely on for availability. Also, Liverpool have not had a problem in the attack this season.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino have all been readily available for selection and are in good form. Moreover, Klopp still likes Minamino. (h/t Express)

Hence, selling off two attackers for a combined fee of around £30m would add to Liverpool’s transfer kitty if Klopp is to buy defensive reinforcements in January. Klopp is without Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, with all three defenders sidelined due to injury.

If we are to push for back-to-back league titles, then defensive signings in January will play a vital role in us securing that goal. However, the loss of Shaqiri, in particular, could go down poorly amongst a section of the fanbase who have seen the Swiss step up to the plate time and again for the club.

Shaqiri has featured in 48 matches for Liverpool since the start of the 2018/19 season and averages a goal or an assist every 139 minutes on the pitch.