Liverpool have handed Jurgen Klopp a 'war chest' of around £40m for the January window to make title-challengingimprovements for the second half of the season, if German magazine SportBild are to be believed.
The German publication's 'Inside Kolumne' (as quoted bySport Witness)speculates, without much evidence, that the Anfield board's desire for 'new impulses' mean theywill sign off on new squad acquisitions this month.
Have a good one, Millie!  pic.twitter.com/b1IswG45HG
While most would identify defence as the primary source of concern (and spending)for Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy, SportBild claim Bayer Leverkusen forwardJulian Brandt is top of the shortlist, and would conveniently be available for around the price of Liverpool's total January budget.
The 20-year-old wonderkid has undoubtedly impressed this season and sits fourth in the Bundesliga assists table with six lay ons. However, while Klopp may indeed be an admirer of the burgeoning talent,a mid-season switch for such large fee, in an ill-required positionseems unlikely at best.
Reported other possibilities, to be taken with fistfuls of salt,include Arsenal's also-not-a- defenderAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Inter memeGabriel Barbosa.
Meanwhile, theReds have also been connected to Bundesliga surprise package RB Leipzig star Emil Forsbergand Dortmund's Christian Pulisic (what else is new?)but news pieces concerningnew centre backs continue their status as an endangered species.
Liverpool take on League TwoPlymouth Argylein the FA Cup third round on Sunday January 8.