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January is always a pain in the backside.

From the post-Christmas hangover, the well-meaning yet soon discarded resolutions and the dismal weather, the first month of the year is very often among the last in terms of favouritism.

Premier League clubs aren't any more enchanted by the New Year as far as the transfer window is concerned.

At least that's what we've always been led to believe.

This year, though, has seen a significant shift away from the accepted norm.

January, it seems, now matters. It matters a lot.

And that message should, if it hasn't already, be blaring out loud and clear for Jurgen Klopp as the clock ticks down towards the 11pm deadline next Wednesday.

Klopp has already stated Liverpool are not actively seeking to make any more purchases this month, but don't be fooled.

(Image: Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

If a deal is there to be done, the Reds will look to get it over the line immediately rather than wait until the summer.

That change in approach is pretty universal, certainly towards the top end of the Premier League.

Strengthening from a position of strength is now the way to go although, it could be argued, many of the major deals are ones that had been in the offing back in the summer.

Take Liverpool's pursuit of Virgil van Dijk, making the Holland international the most expensive defender ever by finalising a £75million move from Southampton at the start of the month.

That has sparked others into life.

Chelsea took Ross Barkley from Everton and are pursuing Roma duo Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri.

Manchester United swooped to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading in the other direction with the Gunners also actively chasing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund and West Bromwich Albion's Jonny Evans.

Everton, meanwhile, have spent almost £50m on Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott, with a left-back still on Sam Allardyce's shopping list.

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Only Manchester City, who stepped away from the Sanchez pursuit, and Tottenham Hotspur have demonstrated no great appetite to strengthen their squad.

Yet. And with a week remaining, few would be surprised if both spend big on recruitment.

Liverpool, of course, have a large Philippe Coutinho-sized hole in their squad – another big January deal – one which was easily covered against City but then once more exposed by the shock defeat at Swansea City.

The Reds just about got away with it last season, despite missing Sadio Mane for vital periods of the second half of the campaign.

But with the Premier League joined by the Champions League and FA Cup as very real ongoing concerns, it would be a risky oversight not to bolster numbers, particularly if the attacking options are weakened further by the departure of Daniel Sturridge.

Thomas Lemar is a name that isn't going away – Liverpool remain admirers and Monaco are showing signs of wavering on their stance of not selling this month – and he'd cost a significant premium.

But if he, or any other player, can do a job next season, they can do a job now when there is so much still to play for.

Liverpool and Klopp may well have to bite the bullet in terms of cost this month – or count it at the end of the season.