Liverpool could target two defenders in January and Bajčetić struggles in Austria

With kickoff between Liverpool and Crystal Palace in the Premier League inching closer, I'm here to catch you up on some of the biggest news headlines from in and around the club as we begin the weekend.

The Reds could potentially be very active in the winter transfer window and a very popular name on loan for Liverpool has not settled as quickly as we would have hoped.

We also get a big status update on Federico Chiesa to see how where he is on the path back to fitness once again. Let's dive right in.

Liverpool rumored to target defenders in January

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been in sensational form this season and Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez make for more than adequate reserves, but it appears the club could still be set to strengthen this part of the squad.

Once again Crystal Palace's Mar Guehi and Everton's Jared Branthwaite are the two names popping up as they were very popular links during the summer window to be fair.

Despite not being able to get a deal done at that time, GiveMeSport reports the club are confident they can secure one or both of them at discounted rates which would be some outrageously good business.

That would give Liverpool four bonafide No. 1 centre-halves which seems almost too unrealistic even though it would be a treat.

Likely only one of these moves would happen and even then, we're still not sure about this.

Stefan Bajčetić not meeting the mark for Salzburg

The 19-year old Spanish midfielder joined former Jurgen Klopp Assistant Coach Pep Lijnders this summer at RB Salzburg on loan in an effort to secure regular minutes and regain his pre-injury form under a familiar face and playing alongside fellow Reds Academy graduate Bobby Clark.

It was all too perfect for everyone involved and now it appears that might have been the case. As Salzburg have seen their form tail off as the season wears on, there are rumors that other players in the squad do not deem Bajcetic as worthy of such a consistent starting role.

The young defensive midfielder has started 3 of his 4 appearances thus far and he has not quite hit the ground running in Austria. His most recent outing came off the bench this week in the heavy loss to French side Brest.

According to Krone outlet, some players in the squad do not think he should be getting the starts he has been to this point. It's an awkward situation but it's one Liverpool should watch closely.

Chiesa missing Italy duty

Italian winger Federico Chiesa will not be jettisoning away to play for the Italian national team this upcoming break as he is battling to regain fitness after picking up an injury in training during the week.

He looks unlikely to feature for Liverpool this weekend in the Premier League and this is probably a big factor into why he is not joining up with his international teammates.

It's been a slow start to his Reds career and this recent fitness issue joins a long list of them for a player that has not proven very durable in his career to this point.

That's not a surprise to Arne Slot or anyone at Anfield, but they will be hoping the next fortnight off should do wonders for him to make sure he gets back to top condition for a brutal stretch of games. Slot will eager to see his lone summer arrival contributing sooner than later.