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.

Tuesday morning's Liverpool transfer talk news roundup:

Manchester United 'signed Victor Lindelof over Virgil van Dijk'

Manchester United signed Victor Lindelof over Virgil van Dijk, according to the Liverpool defender's former teammate Charlie Austin.

The Red Devils snapped up Swedish centre-back Lindelof from Benfica in June 2017 for a fee rising to £31m.

Van Dijk moved to Liverpool six months later and has played an integral part in the Reds' Premier League and Champions League success over the past two seasons.

However, Austin, who played alongside Van Dijk at Southampton, claims that things could have turned out a lot different.

"I remember at the back end of his Southampton career we were on the bench together at Chelsea, and I said to him 'come on Virg, what's going on? Surely Man United must have been in for you'," he told talkSPORT.

"He said to me, 'in the summer, it was between me or Lindelof'. I couldn't believe it, I was gobsmacked. There was talk in the summer that he was going to go there and they got Lindelof instead.

"I remember Mauricio [Pellegrino] getting everybody round in pre-season, everyone on the pitch including Virg, and just said 'look lads, Virgil wants to go, the club are not allowing him to go, so he says he's not going to play so he's not going to train with us', in front of everyone.

"[Van Dijk] was gobsmacked, there was no heads up from the manager or anything. It was more down the line of stamping his authority. Two days the later transfer window shut and Virg was starting again on the Saturday.

"He apologised to the lads, but we just said 'Virg, we understand, you were linked with Liverpool and you wanted to go, it's fine by us', we were just happy that he was here because of the quality that he brought."

Lindelof has gone on to make 138 appearances for United in all competitions, 22 of those this season.

Report: Kylian Mbappe would be keen on Liverpool move

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe would consider a move to Liverpool if the Premier League champions table an offer, according to a report.

The France international is into the final 18 months of his PSG contract and has been locked in discussions over fresh terms.

Mbappe hinted last week that he is ready to commit to a new deal, but ESPN claims that the striker has not entirely ruled out an exit in the summer.

It is suggested that Mbappe is keen on the idea of joining Liverpool, though it is widely accepted that the Reds are not in a position to make a realistic offer this year.

Real Madrid are the other side thought to be interested in snapping up the 22-year-old, with the player having previously admitted that he would like to work under Zinedine Zidane.

More transfer news from Liverpool:

Jurgen Klopp 'asks Liverpool board not to dismiss David Alaba opportunity'
A report claims that Bayern Munich's David Alaba remains a target for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, despite supposedly being close to signing for Real Madrid. Read more.

Barcelona 'still owe Liverpool £25m for Philippe Coutinho'
A report claims that Barcelona have only paid Liverpool £105m of the £142m transfer fee agreed for Philippe Coutinho three years ago. Read more.

Liverpool 'make contact with former Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos'
Liverpool reportedly express an interest in signing defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who has recently been released by Arsenal. Read more.