REVEALED: The two transfers Richard Hughes wants to make for Liverpool in January

Richard Hughes is very keen to bolster Liverpool's options in the upcoming transfer window with two players in mind.

Liverpool intend to strengthen two positions in the January transfer window, exploring deals for a defensive midfielder and a left-sided centre back.

A report from Pete O’Rourke for the Football Insider has revealed that these two areas were seen as priorities over the summer, and will now be returned to in January after the failure to complete these signings.

The summer transfer window left some fans disappointed, with Federico Chiesa the only incoming for this season. Giorgi Mamardashvili also signed but will not join up with the Reds until next season, staying at Valencia.

Read more: Trent Alexander-Arnold contract priority

Liverpool's defensive midfield conundrum

Liverpool signed Endo last summer, however have never really brought in a long-term replacement for Fabinho, who himself is younger than the Japanese midfielder.

They pursued Martin Zubimendi this summer, and although they were close, the Spanish midfielder decided to remain at Real Sociedad. Despite recent rumblings that a deal may be returned to in January due to issues with Zubimendi’s contract, Football Insider have described the deal as “dead in the water.”

Liverpool will not panic in the transfer market, and so decided not to sign an alternative. Ryan Granvberch has starred for Liverpool so far this season as a defensive midfielder, showing an aggression and excellent passing range from the base of midfield, also impressing for the Netherlands on international duty. Liverpool will still look to strengthen this position over the winter period, with Endo playing just one minute of Premier League football in the opening four games.

Virgil van Dijk's replaced?

Virgil van Dijk is now 33, and although he has looked at his best in the early games of this season, he is still yet to renew his contract with Liverpool, and is currently set to leave in the summer, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. 

Liverpool will be hopeful of a renewal, but will look to bring in a centre back who can play on the left as cover for the Dutchman, even if he was to stay on in Merseyside for the future.

Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate favour the right-hand side, and although they would be able to play on the left, a signing in this position would take some of the strain off Van Dijk to play every game, especially with Konate’s previous issues with injuries and continued questions over the future of Joe Gomez.