Liverpool failed to add substantial reinforcements to Jurgen Klopp's first team squad over the summer, but that could change in the January transfer window.

What's the story?

Former RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate was the only major addition for the Reds, while their main domestic rivals all spent big money bringing in top-class talents such as Jack Grealish, Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku.

However, with the January window just a few months away, Liverpool's hierarchy are already reportedly eyeing up a potential move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (as relayed by Milan News), the Anfield outfit are one of three clubs interested in securing the 24-year-old's services, who would be able to agree terms on a pre-contract agreement after entering the final year of his current deal.

The report also credits Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain and fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur with an interest in Kessie, so Liverpool's director of football Michael Edwards may need to move quickly in order to secure his signature.

Michael Edwards can redeem himself

After Gini Wijnaldum departed Anfield at the start of the summer, many expected the club to replace the Netherlands international given his importance to Klopp's charges.

However, despite several star names being linked with a move to Merseyside, a new arrival in the centre of the pitch was not forthcoming, and the Reds have been left surprisingly short of quality in the engine room.

Although Klopp has many classy operators to call upon, the likes of Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita have all struggled with injuries in recent years, while 18-year-old Harvey Elliott is embarking upon his maiden Premier League campaign as a regular.

Therefore, Edwards' inability to find a suitable heir to Wijnaldum could have serious consequences for Liverpool as the season progresses.

Bringing in Kessie halfway through the campaign would certainly go some way to redemption, though. The Ivory Coast international has established himself as one of Serie A's most dominant midfielders since arriving at San Siro back in 2017 and would be a welcome addition in Liverpool.

After scoring 30 goals and providing 15 assists in 184 appearances for Milan, Kessie has caught the eye of several onlookers, including former Italy striker Antonio Cassano, who even compared him to a previous Premier League great.

“I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he is intelligent. I’m watching him carefully, against Roma, he was devastating,” he said (via MilanLive).

“He reminds me of the Yaya Touré of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact, he is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”

It remains to be seen whether Edwards can lure Kessie to Anfield this winter, but if he does, it will go down as another masterclass from the Liverpool chief, and see his failures over the summer soon forgotten.

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