Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp rejects speculation over January deal for Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato

Alexandre Pato is unlikely to join Liverpool in January after Jurgen Klopp appeared to dismiss the prospect during a press conference held prior to the visit of Arsenal on 13 January. The Corinthians striker looks set to secure a move in the near future and has long since been linked with a high-profile switch to the Premier League.

With the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United having already been mentioned in connection with Pato over the last few months, reports from Italy cited by The Independent this weekend suggested that Liverpool could be willing to meet an £11m ($15.9m) valuation as his current club seek to reduce their wage bill.

Klopp has now brought that speculation to a swift conclusion, however. As quoted by The Mirror, he told the assembled media: "My private advice to you is don't follow the Pato path any longer."

Although Pato will not be heading to Anfield, few would blame Klopp if he did seek to bolster that particular area of his squad. With Daniel Sturridge still absent having suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain, Divock Origi also injured and Danny Ings lost for the season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, Christian Benteke is currently Liverpool's only fit senior striker and he has looked very unconvincing of late. Teenager Jerome Sinclair netted during the recent FA Cup third-round draw at Exeter, although it remains to be seen if he has a future at the club having yet to negotiate an extension to his expiring contract.

Elsewhere for Liverpool, goalkeeper Danny Ward has become the latest young player to be prematurely recalled from his loan spell. The 22-year-old was due to remain with Aberdeen for the rest of the season after making 29 appearances for the Scottish Premiership title contenders, but now follows Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Tiago Llori and Kevin Stewart in returning to Anfield as Klopp ponders his current goalkeeping situation with Simon Mignolet and Adam Bogdan both having come in for sustained criticism.

"It was an easy decision," the German added of his decision to bring Ward back to Merseyside. "We watched his improvement at Aberdeen. It's a moment when we have to make decisions."