If you had told Liverpool fans that come the start of the New Year their side would be second in the table, five points behind the leaders Chelsea, I would be willing to put money - and a fair amount of it - down to say that the majority would have welcomed it with open arms.

After a season of mixed results last term in which the Reds lost in the finals of both the Europa League and the League Cup, Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp once again look like a side that are more than capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

Having invested well in the summer - bringing in the likes of Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan - the Reds go into 2017 with a sense of optimism that this may finally be their year.

However, even though the red half of Merseyside are definitely going in the right direction, there is still room for improvement. This season may offer their best chance in over a decade to stake their claim for the Premier League title, hence investment this January is a must.

While buying smartly, the club, however, must also let go of those that are now surplus to requirements. Here are the THREE players the Reds should say farewell to this month...

Mamadou Sakho

I really like this defender. While he may appear more uncomfortable than a springy mattress whilst on the ball, Sakho is deceivingly a good football player, and very rarely gives the ball away.

The thing that is most impressive about him, however, is his physical prowess. Big, strong, no-nonsense and never afraid of a challenge, the Frenchman is more than a match for any of the league's centre-forwards. His time at Liverpool, however, is up.

After the doping scandal of last year, for which he was later absolved it must be said, it appears there is no way back for him at Anfield. Valued at around £20m, selling him would mean losing a quality defender, but would leave the club with plenty of money to invest elsewhere.

Lucas Leiva

The Brazilian has admitted that the "situation is not great" in regards to his Liverpool future, with their current title challenge seemingly causing him to think about staying despite mooted interest in him from abroad.

Lucas still gets a fair amount of playing time for the Reds, often filling in at central defence when injury strikes, and sometimes even being the first pick. However, as loyal of a servant as he has been to the club, at 30 and with a crop of young talent coming through at the club, his playing time is only likely to dwindle.

Daniel Sturridge

Before any Liverpool fan reading this bites my head off, let me explain. There are a number of reasons it is time for Liverpool to part ways with Mr. Sturridge.

Firstly, and most obviously, he is ALWAYS injured. What good is a player to the club when he spends 80% of his time on the sidelines? Secondly, the Reds have BETTER striking options. Divock Origi, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all have goals in them, as demonstrated by their collective 23 this season. Lastly, Sturridge ONLY operates effectively when he is the main man. Unfortunately in this Liverpool side he is not. He had the same problem at Chelsea and Manchester City, and even for England. Why was he so successful at Bolton? Because he was number one. Cash in, Klopp.