Liverpool consider shock £45m deadline day raid on Chelsea as Jurgen Klopp eyes move to make Everton squirm

Trent Kone-Doherty signs for Liverpool. manager Jurgen Klopp, seen here during the FA Cup match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at the City Ground

Liverpool are reportedly considering a deadline day approach on Chelsea, despite strong claims made from Jurgen Klopp that the Reds would not be active again before the January window closes.

The Reds acted swiftly and early in the window to bring in Cody Gakpo in a deal worth an initial £37m. The Dutchman arrives to bolster a Liverpool attack that already has incredible options at Klopp’s disposal.

But the facts remain that Klopp and Liverpool still need to bolster their midfield. Indeed, both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both out of contract this summer, with free-transfer exits expected once the season ends. And there are growing claims that James Milner may also now be in his final season at Anfield. At 37, the veteran star cannot go on forever!

As a result, Klopp is looking at signing at least two new midfielders through 2023. Jude Bellingham is their undisputed No 1 target and they will make a big play to sign him this summer. And while Borussia Dortmund are likely to demand a fee well in excess of £100m, Liverpool will have the funds to make the signing happen.

However, one observer suggests Liverpool could now miss out on Bellingham due to their Premier League struggles.

To that end, Liverpool also have a number of other options on their transfer radar. And The Times’ Paul Joyce has named the two men who figure right at the top of Klopp’s wanted list.

However, the fact that Liverpool have not moved to strengthen their midfield this month has left surprised.

Keita has looked past his best when called upon lately and not able to influence games the way Liverpool want. And with his exit as good as accepted, Klopp can surely see the need Liverpool have for midfield reinforcements.

Liverpool linked with Conor Gallagher approach

Just two days ago, though, Klopp was adamant that Liverpool would not be active before the window shuts.

Speaking after their FA Cup exit at Brighton on Sunday, Klopp told beIN Sports: “No, no, no. Nothing will happen in this transfer window. That’s all. All good.”

However, the Daily Mail questions Klopp’s comments and reckons they might be serving as a red herring. And they claim the Reds could launch a shock deadline approach to Chelsea for midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Indeed, the Liverpool boss pulled off a similar trick over the summer when he insisted the Reds would not be active. And when deadline day arrived, it emerged they were signing Arthur Melo on a season’s loan from Juventus.

And while the less said about that deal the better, Liverpool could now repeat the tactic with a late raid for Gallagher.

The England midfielder finds himself a man in demand on deadline day amid claims Chelsea are looking to clear out some players.

Indeed, he was reportedly the subject of a failed approach from Everton on Monday. Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are also reportedly plotting an approach.

And with Chelsea looking to offload, Liverpool are reportedly considering a move of their own, per the report.

The Blues, having signed seven players already this month, could take their spending to new heights if they sign Enzo Fernandez on deadline day.

And Gallagher could be moved on with the Blues open to his sale. Everton were reportedly open to paying an initial payment of £30m for the 22-year-old with a further £15m in add-ons.

The report claims Liverpool will consider their position carefully for Gallagher and may make the move before the window shuts.

READ MORE: The 45 midfielders Liverpool have been linked with in the transfer gossip columns: Bellingham, Kante…