Jurgen Klopp acquiring fresh talent to inspire performance

In their first competitive game back after the World Cup, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool team suffered a loss to Manchester City, but they will be looking to rebound with a victory at Aston Villa on Boxing Day although the Reds had a sluggish start to the year, the World Cup may have come just as Liverpool was beginning to resemble their former selves shortly before the break.

Klopp is aware that his team cannot afford to start the season's second half as poorly as it did the first, in light of this, the German may be looking to sign players Klopp believes can help Liverpool's quest for a top-four finish this season.According to rumours, Manchester United has surpassed Liverpool in the hunt to recruit Argentine international Enzo Fernandez.

<strong>More Liverpool news:</strong>

The 21-year-old midfielder had a breakthrough World Cup while the Alibiceleste won the title, and as a result, he now has many fans eager to wrest him away from the Portuguese powerhouses, this month said that Liverpool and the teenage World Cup star had signed a "pre-contractual agreement," but Portuguese-language outlet UOL Esporte 

Now claims that Erik ten Hag's team has entered the competition, Fernandez only signed with Benfica this summer for a €10 million (£8.9 million) cost plus €8 million (£7.1 million) in add-ons, but he isn't going to stay at the Estadio da Luz for very long because Liverpool and Manchester United, two powerhouses in the Premier League, 

<strong>Close to signing a brief contract extension</strong>

Are keeping an eye on him. Roberto Firmino, a seasoned forwards for Liverpool, is rumoured to be close to signing a brief contract extension the days when the Brazilian international was handed four- or five-year contracts are long gone, but this most recent offer could keep Firmino committed to Anfield through 2024. Firmino is 31 years old.