The January transfer window is now open, with Liverpool continuing to be linked with a host of big names.

Jurgen Klopp has been forced to contend with a crippling injury crisis during the first half of the season, leading to speculation that the Premier League champions could move for a new defender this month.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings from Anfield.

Sunday morning's Liverpool transfer talk news roundup:

Liverpool 'eyeing deal for Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi'

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has reportedly emerged as a target for Liverpool in the final stages of the January transfer window.

The Reds are expected to sign a new centre-back before the deadline, with Joel Matip and Fabinho recently joining Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the sidelines.

The Premier League champions have recently been linked with a loan move for New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long, who is available due to the MLS season being suspended until at least April.

However, according to Sky Deutschland, Mustafi is emerging as a genuine target for Jurgen Klopp's side.

The 28-year-old has only made three Premier League appearances for the Gunners during the 2020-21 campaign, having fallen out of favour at the club.

The Germany international's contract at the Emirates Stadium is due to expire this summer, meanwhile, meaning that he could be available for a cut-price fee in the latter stages of the transfer window.

Bayern Munich 'ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool in Dayot Upamecano race'

Bayern Munich are reportedly at the head of the queue for RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano.

The 22-year-old is widely expected to leave the Red Bull Arena during this summer's transfer window, when a €42m (£37.3m) release clause in the Frenchman's contract can be activated.

A recent report claimed that Manchester United and Liverpool were preparing to go head to head for the defender's signature ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, United are firmly in the hunt for the France international, but Bayern are currently leading the race for his signature.

Upamecano has made 24 appearances for Leipzig during the current season, while he featured against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in the group stages of the Champions League back in October.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are said to view Upamecano as the perfect player to operate alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence on a long-term basis.

More transfer news from Liverpool:

Bayern Munich confirm meeting with Dayot Upamecano's agents
Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirms that his club had a meeting with the agents of RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano on Friday. Read more.