Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has insisted that the Reds are "always prepared" to move for the right transfer targets during the January window.
The Merseyside club decided against making a marquee midfield signing in the summer transfer window, instead bringing in Arthur on loan from Juventus alongside Fabio Carvalho, Calvin Ramsay and Darwin Nunez.
With the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain potentially leaving on free transfers in the summer, though, Liverpool are expected to splash the cash on a new engine room acquisition in 2023.
A January move for Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat or Benfica's Enzo Fernandez has been mooted, although a deal for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham will likely have to wait until the summer.
Liverpool are back in competitive action in Thursday's EFL Cup fourth-round tie away to Manchester City, and Lijnders addressed the media in place of head coach Jurgen Klopp in Wednesday's pre-game press conference.
When questioned about the possibility of January arrivals, Lijnders unsurprisingly remained tight-lipped but affirmed that Liverpool would remain on red alert throughout the winter window.
"This is the press room, not the boardroom! When Jurgen is next here, ask him!" Lijnders said. "For the right player, the right moment, the right feeling, we are always prepared."
Liverpool completed a £37m deal for Colombian winger Luis Diaz during the most recent January window, but the former Porto man has suffered a devastating setback in his recovery from a knee injury sustained against Arsenal in October.
Diaz reportedly underwent surgery earlier this month and is expected to remain out of action until March, and Lijnders sympathized with the 25-year-old amid his fitness struggles.
"It's really sad it has happened but he has the character to take the time to come back stronger. That will really help us," the Reds coach added.
Lijnders also revealed that Joel Matip and Keita are both in full training and available for selection, but Curtis Jones is still a week away from rejoining the group, and Diogo Jota (calf) is out for the long-term.
Liverpool will be expected to hand minutes to a number of academy players in Thursday's EFL Cup tie, with 17-year-old Scottish attacker Ben Doak among the youngsters hoping to make a positive impression.
Doak made his debut for the EFL Cup holders in their third-round victory over Derby County, and Lijnders insisted that the teenager - along with Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark - would be given chances to make their mark.
"He learns really quick. Speed, mentality and technique - he has all three," Lijnders said of Doak. "We're happy with three 'new' signings and I have to give credit to Matt Newbury, our academy scout, for bringing them to the club. We want to give these boys chances."
Following Thursday's clash with Pep Guardiola's side, Liverpool will return to Premier League action away to Aston Villa on Boxing Day. body check tags ::
