Liverpool will go in for Monaco's £90m-rated Thomas Lemar in January, as they attempt to bolster their chances of securing a top-four spot, and beat Arsenal to the French international's signature

Jürgen Klopp has a longstanding interest in the 22-year-old forward, and the belief at Anfield is that his first choice is Liverpool, even though Arsenal came close to signing him in August.

Arsene Wenger was looking to sign an attacker as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez, but the deal fell down, partly due to Lemar's desire to play Champions League football.

Liverpool could be in a broadly similar situation as they anticipate Barcelona coming back for Philippe Coutinho, although there is more to their interest in Lemar than that.

While the club do not want to be in a situation where any sale leaves them short of options, Lemar is targeted as someone to give Klopp even more attacking variety and create what may well be one of the fastest attacking line-ups in the world.

How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Show all 12 1 /12 How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar How could Jurgen Klopp choose to line up? This option is with a 4-1-4-1 formation Getty How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Simon Mignolet of Liverpool shows his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Right back: Joe Gomez Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre back: Joel Matip Reuters How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre back: Dejan Lovren BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Dejan Lovren of Liverpool shows his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Left back: Alberto Moreno How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Holding centre midfield: Jordan Henderson BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jordan Henderson of Liverpool during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Right wing: Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah was on the scoresheet Getty How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre attacking midfield: Sadio Mane LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Sadio Mane of Liverpool shoots and misses during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on December 10, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre attacking midfield: Philippe Coutinho BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Left wing: Thomas Lemar Monaco's French midfielder Thomas Lemar runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Monaco on October 28, 2017 at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. / AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS TUCAT (Photo credit should read NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images How Liverpool could line up with Thomas Lemar Centre forward: Roberto Firmino Liverpool FC via Getty Images