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Liverpool have been quiet this January transfer window, with the Reds once again biding their time in the market.

The Reds have enjoyed a fantastic season under Arne Slot with the Anfield side sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League and UEFA Champions League standings as well as looking strong in the FA Cup and League Cup.

With Liverpool interested in making at least four signings this year, though, this January market presents an excellent opportunity for the Merseyside giants to strengthen the squad and add the parts needed to give Slot the quality needed to see out the year in style.

And Liverpool have seemingly made their first move to replace one of the longest servants in the squad.

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

According to Dsports, Liverpool have approached Czech Republic giants Slavia Prague over 20-year-old left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, with the Senegal international regarded as a defensive ‘sensation’ as per the Mirror.

As per the report, Slavia Prague are demanding a club-record fee for Diouf, with Crystal Palace already seeing a €15m (£12m) offer rejected by the Czech Republic side for the young fullback, who has made quite a name for himself.

With the Reds in the market to replace Andy Roberson, Diouf has seemingly been identified as a long-term successor for the Scotland international, with Jamie Carragher keen to see Liverpool sign a new left-back this January.

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And with the Anfield side making contact with Slavia Prague for Diouf, it appears that Liverpool have found a potential player worth pursuing this winter, with the youngster ticking all the boxes for what the Reds are looking for in a signing.

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Left-back has become something of a problem area for Liverpool this season, with Robertson’s form taking a nose dive that few would have expected whilst Kostas Tsimikas’ injury problems have again become a real issue.

As a result, the Reds must do all they can to try and sign Diouf this January, with the defender ready for the next step in his career at a top club like Liverpool having established himself as one of the most exciting fullbacks outside of Europe’s top-five leagues.

Indeed, a club-record fee for Sparta Prague is something Liverpool can afford to do, and the Anfield side need to do all they can to beat other Premier League sides to the defender’s signature in the weeks to come.