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Liverpool's lacklustre January transfer window looks as though it could close without incident. But that doesn't mean there aren't updates from Anfield that won't interest fans ahead of Monday's deadline.

Arne Slot's side host Newcastle on Saturday evening hoping to climb in the Premier League after failing to win any of their last five top-flight games. They'll do so with an extensive injury list, particularly at right-back after Jeremie Frimpong recently joined Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley on the sidelines.

Any more setbacks may just force the club's hand when it comes to conducting late winter business. To date, Senegalese youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye remains the only new arrival at Anfield this month, with many fans baying to see more.

Slot won the Premier League in his first season despite very little investment in the squad he inherited. However, building blocks are already being put in place for the summer as Mirror Football dissects the latest Liverpool rumblings.

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While there have been no notable links between Liverpool and Brajan Gruda to date, the Brighton midfielder may have just done the job himself. That's after naming the Reds as one of the club's he "dreams" of playing for at some point in his career.

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The 21-year-old has been in fine fettle for the Seagulls so far this season and has three goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. Questions concerning his future are sure to pick up in the near future, with a little more than two years left on his current contract.

The Germany under-21 international has received rave reviews under Fabian Hurzeler and looks adept in both attacking midfield or out wide. However, Gruda has visions of taking his career to the next level as he highlighted which clubs pique his interest.

"My biggest dream is to play in the Champions League and be a full international," he said during a wide-ranging interview with Sky Sport in Germany. "I want to play for a top club like Bayern, Real, Barcelona or Liverpool."

As aforementioned, there have been no concrete reports of interest in the player from Liverpool's side. However, the Merseysiders may be inclined to start paying attention once they discover how keen the player is.

It's become increasingly common for top-tier managers to target players who are comfortable in two or more positions. Liverpool stars like Domink Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong have each shown their talent in multiple roles, which has helped curry favour with Slot.

In that sense, Gruda also offers utility in several areas and could be seen as fitting the Liverpool mould. Brighton are believed to have spent around £25million to recruit Gruda from Mainz in 2024, and he could be one of the next appreciating assets to net the Seagulls a sizeable profit should Liverpool like what they see.

One bit of housekeeping this summer concerns the long-term future of Harvey Elliott. And Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has offered an update on the player's situation at Villa Park, where he's spending the season on loan.

And it suggests Elliott will indeed be returning to Anfield in the summer, at which point the dilemma over what to do with the 22-year-old talent will begin anew.

It's understood Villa are obliged to pay the £35m clause in Elliott's loan agreement to make the move permanent if he makes 10 appearances this season. Emery handed the midfielder his eighth appearance in Thursday's 3-2 Europa League win over Red Bull Salzburg and commented on the player's situation after the result.

"It is not changing," said the Spaniard. "Not changing, I told you yesterday it is not changing his situation. Today, he played and [it was] very fantastic how he helped us, but it's not changing our idea with him."

From that, it appears obvious Elliott hasn't done enough to convince Emery he's deserving of the £35m investment. Furthermore, it means Liverpool's man faces a fourth-month spell where he's all but guaranteed to make just one more appearance for Villa unless the manager has a serious change of heart.