With the halfway stage of the Premier League season almost upon us, Liverpool can be more than content with the progression made on Merseyside. The club sit pretty in second place in the Premier League table and are preparing for a Capital One Cup semi-final clash with Southampton.

But currently in hot pursuit of Chelsea at the business end of the table, manager Jurgen Klopp must attempt to rectify some long-standing problems to close the gap between his side and the pace-setting west Londoners.

Fortunately, however, the January transfer window is just around the corner, representing a fantastic opportunity for Klopp to try and solve those dilemmas mid-season - provided the board provide him with enough dosh to do so.

For Klopp to ensure the club’s progression continues and his Reds side have a chance of catching up with the Blues, he must address these three issues during the January transfer window.

Find a suitable left-back

After failing to convince a left-back to join the Merseyside giants this summer, Klopp has been forced to play James Milner at No.3 for the entirety of the campaign thus far.

Alberto Moreno cannot be trusted in his regular position and with just days remaining until the opening of the January window, Klopp's first priority should be to find a specialist left-back - allowing Milner to return to midfield.

Replace the departing Sadio Mané

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Sadio Mané has made a phenomenal impact at Liverpool since arriving from Southampton during the summer, going on to become the club's top scorer. The Senegal striker is set to depart Merseyside in January for the 2017 African Cup of Nations, however,

Klopp must attempt to replace the pace, directness and finishing ability of the wide forward or Liverpool could soon find themselves coming unstuck in the final third - whether it be another star-studded signing, a youngster for the future or a short-term acquisition.

Sign a defensive leader

When you consider the iconic centre-backs that have represented Liverpool down the years, Dejan Lovren just isn't one of them.

Throughout the decades, players such as Mark Lawrenson, Alan Hansen, Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia represented the Reds graciously and brought a huge host of trophies.

Unless Klopp accepts the fact Lovren isn't good enough to guide the Reds to glory alongside Joel Matip, his side will struggle to end their domestic drought anytime soon.