Liverpool transfer news: David Ornstein update on Joao Palhinha and Andre Trindade

David Ornstein believes neither Fulham's Joao Palhinha nor Fluminese's Andre Trindade are likely to become Liverpool players in the January transfer window.

The Reds were heavily linked with a move for the two midfielders in the summer transfer window but opted to sign the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch to overhaul their options in the centre of the park.

Jurgen Klopp currently has a few injury absentees in the midfield as games continue to come thick and fast during the festive period. Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are recovering from long-term injuries, while Mac Allister and Gravenberch are short-term absentees after picking up injuries earlier this month.

As the January transfer window edges closer, Ornstein feels Liverpool aren't expecting to be busy, although he believes things could change if an opportunity presents itself.

In his weekly transfer column for The Athletic, he wrote: "They are contesting for four trophies this season and, despite a perception that Jurgen Klopp’s men still lack something, there seems no sense of internal alarm. Things can change and Liverpool are always attentive to openings that may crop up — eg, Cody Gakpo last winter — but the forthcoming window is not anticipated to be particularly busy.

"Joao Palhinha of Fulham has been linked but nothing is expected to emerge on this. Liverpool believe their midfield is in good shape and their normal profile would be different to that of the Portugal international, who is 28 and has a steep anticipated transfer fee.

"When Liverpool found themselves trying to strengthen at No 6 and various options were explored, a call was made about the availability of Fluminense talent Andre Trindade. It did not work out for either party then and an alternative route was pursued, which removes him from the agenda now."

With Thiago and Bajcetic expected back in the new year, Klopp is unlikely to dip into the transfer market midway through the season unless a long-term target suddenly becomes available at the right price. That said, we've seen over the years that the Reds keep their cards close to their chest, so only time will tell if Klopp decides to reinforce his squad in January.