The January transfer window is on the horizon with clubs throughout already working hard behind the scenes.

Jurgen Klopp is expected to make a new defender a top priority in the new year as he bids to shore up his leaky backline, reports the Liverpool Echo.

But forget the incomings for a second, what about those who may be looking at the Anfield exit door?

Barcelona remain interested in Philippe Coutinho, although the Reds remain keen to keep the Brazilian playmaker at Anfield.

However, could these five Liverpool players be eyeing a move in January?

Danny Ings

Danny Ings could head out on loan to get regular game time (
Image:
Liverpool FC)

How sharp did he look at the weekend?! Four goals, albeit against Bristol City’s U23 side, showcased the striking instincts that, for all his injuries, Ings still possesses.

He’s featured for the first team this season, away at Leicester in the Carabao Cup. The question is; will there be enough opportunities for him in the coming months? Having missed so much competitive football, he needs to make up for lost time.

The first half of the season has been about recovery, rhythm, building up a base of match fitness. The second half could be about game time, perhaps on loan. He deserves the chance to play, and to shine.

There will be no shortage of takers, that’s for sure.

Harry Wilson

Harry Wilson has impressed for the second string (
Image:
Ryan Pierse)

Another standout for the U23s, Wilson has been unable to force his way into Liverpool’s first team this season, despite regular goals and impressive all-round displays.

A loan seems the obvious answer. He struggled when he was sent to Crewe in League One a couple of seasons back, but he’s a vastly-improved player now, and capable of playing at higher level.

There are a few Premier League clubs who could use his talents right now, though Liverpool may look to do what they did with Ryan Kent, who is picking up experience in the Bundesliga with Freiburg.

Lazar Markovic

Lazar Markovic is surplus to requirements (
Image:
Getty)

One day, someone will look back on his Liverpool career and wonder what the hell happened.

This is a player who cost £20m, and who doesn’t even play U23s football these days.

Markovic is occasionally spotted in Melwood training galleries, and was on the bench at Leicester in the Carabao Cup. He wasn’t used.

His future at Anfield looks as bright as an eclipse, though it was interesting that no clubs were willing to take him in the summer – wages perhaps?

Surely, though, the player has had enough now? He’s 24 in March, and he’s had six different clubs in seven years. Time to find a home and start playing football. It won’t be on Merseyside.

Jon Flanagan

Jon Flanagan has been hampered by injury problems (
Image:
Liverpool FC)
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Another player to feature for Liverpool’s U23 side this season. Flanagan, like Ings, has had horrendous injury problems and has shown remarkable character and application to overcome them.

He started at Leicester in the cup, and has been on the bench against Crystal Palace and Spartak Moscow too.

But Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold are ahead of him in the right-back stakes, and Nathaniel Clyne will return at some point. On the left, Alberto Moreno and Andy Robertson are the competitors, with James Milner a possible deputy. Hard to see space opening up.

His loan to Burnley last season was disappointing, surprisingly so, but it is easy to see another short-term move emerging. Flanagan, 25 on New Year’s Day, could do with some good luck – and some first-team football.

Ovie Ejaria

Ovie Ejaria could make a temporary move (
Image:
Liverpool FC)

It’s easy to forget, as we rave and rave about Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn, but Ejaria made his Liverpool debut before either.

The midfielder played eight games last season, five of them starts, but he hasn’t been in the squad yet this season – he has been playing for the U23s of late.

Klopp is a fan, though it is difficult to see first-team opportunities emerging in such a key position. Neil Critchley hinted recently that a number of his squad may be primed for loan moves in January, and it is understood that Ejaria, who would certainly be looking to play in the Championship if he did leave, is one of those under consideration.

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