Liverpool news: Xabi Alonso to block Jurgen Klopp from signing defensive target

Liverpool may be sitting prettily at the top of the Premier League table but there's work to be done in the January transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp's side got back to winning ways in the top flight by claiming a much-deserved 2-0 victory away to Burnley on Boxing Day which sent them to the summit - at least until Arsenal host West Ham at the Emirates on Thursday night. Klopp has been delighted with his summer signings, but is well aware that more can be added to boost their chances of regaining the English crown.

Here's a round-up of the latest transfer news from Anfield.

Alonso to prevent Hincapie move
Former Liverpool midfielder and now Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso won't let the Reds sign centre-back Piero Hincapie from the German side in January. Despite Klopp pouring cold water on fans' hopes of a new defender being brought in to cover for the injured Joel Matip, who'll miss the rest of the campaign after rupturing his ACL, 21-year-old Hincapie had been tipped for a move to Anfield.

Now though, German outlet Kicker report that alongside fellow Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah - who'd been linked with Premier League rivals Chelsea - Alonso won't allow Hincapie to depart the Bay Arena. The Ecuador international hasn't been a regular starter for the ex-Liverpool playmaker this season, with Leverkusen superbly still unbeaten at the halfway stage of the campaign, but Hincapie is one of the Bundesliga's most promising defenders and can function as a left-back.