Liverpool advanced to 23 points from a possible 30 in the Premier League this weekend with a comfortable win against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Diogo Jota, Darwin Nez, and Mohamed Salah scored to seal the victory, and there could have been even more if it hadn’t been for that infamous VAR blunder that cost Luis Daz at Tottenham.

With its Europa League group all but wrapped up and Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup last-16 this week, Liverpool is still well situated in all competitions, with a team capable of competing on all fronts. Liverpool is flying under the radar, much like it did at the start of the previous season – before, of course, the Reds were just a couple of results away from winning the quadruple.

The inclusion of Daz was significant in the January window of that season. That mid-season surge added another dimension to the Liverpool club, propelling it to contend on all four fronts. Something similar should be prepared for this time around.

André Trindade appears to be a feasible, low-cost option who might provide something new to Liverpool as a mid-season boost in early 2024. According to Globo Esporte, the Reds had a $32 million (£26 million/€30 million) bid turned down by the Brazilian’s club, Fluminense, during the summer, but he has lately stated that while a summer exit was doubtful, a January exit may be on the cards.

“I think every player dreams of one day playing for a big club in Europe, in a big league,” André recently told CONMEBOL Libertadores. “However, I decided to keep my word because, when the January window closed, [Fluminense manager Fernando] Diniz arrived and told me he wanted me to stay until the end of the year.” We had no idea a proposition of that size would emerge, and I told him that whatever occurred, I would be there until the conclusion of the season.

“It ended up passing and arriving in the middle of the year, while we were still in the Copa Libertadores round of 16.” It was a difficult choice to make. I’m not sure if I would have felt completely comfortable accepting this suggestion if I hadn’t already agreed with Diniz. He places a high value on his word and his honesty. I know that good things always happen when we do the right things. And in January, he told me unequivocally that if I stayed, I would gamble and my value would rise.”

With Thiago Alcântara’s contract expiring at the end of the season and Liverpool lacking depth in the holding midfield position, André might be an ideal addition. He would also allow Alexis Mac Allister to play the role for which he was hired.

The Copa Libertadores final takes place next weekend. Following that, André should be able to make a move in January if a pre-agreement is reached, with the final Fluminense game of the current season set for December 6. At that point, if not shortly after the grand final, attention should shift to André’s next move.

Getting another defender in the door should be a priority for Liverpool as well, as long as the correct choice is available. Jol Matip, like Thiago, will have his contract terminated at the end of the season. If Liverpool could find a substitute — ideally a left-footed one — it would make sense to bring someone in ahead of time. As with Daz, who arrived six months before Sadio Mané left, having an overlap can plainly be advantageous.

Apart from those two positions, there are no obvious holes in the Liverpool squad. However, new contracts for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold must be negotiated. Two of them should be uncomplicated, but Salah’s situation is more complicated due to Saudi Arabia’s involvement.

The last time Salah extended, there was a lengthy dance before the process concluded and a new contract was signed. The Saudi Pro League’s eagerness to sign the 31-year-old will only benefit the player’s representation in any future discussions.

Of course, Liverpool would prefer to make progress and possibly agree on new contracts for all three crucial players. Even at the age of 32, Van Dijk believes he will be extended. This season, he has returned to anything resembling his best.

But, in terms of the season’s outcome, putting someone in to replicate Daz’s impact and get ahead of the curve for the summer would make the most significant difference in terms of trophies. Nothing can be won in the first few months of the season, but Liverpool is doing everything it can to be as well-positioned as possible when the second half of the season begins.