There was a huge sense of optimism preceding Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge at Liverpool, and that optimism has certainly been vindicated in the first three months of the season.

The Reds are second in the Premier League having won nine of their opening 13 games, with Burnley the only side to beat Klopp’s men in any competition so far this season.

Victories over Leicester, Chelsea, and Arsenal have demonstrated Liverpool’s title credentials, and in Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Philippe Coutinho, they have the most in-form front line in the division.

The Reds have netted 32 times in the league this season, three more than the next best Manchester City and Chelsea, but back-to-back clean sheets have also suggested that they are capable defensively, something many were unsure of at the start of the campaign.

Nonetheless, they turn their attentions away from the league this week, as they have the small matter of a League Cup quarter-final against Leeds on Tuesday night.

The Reds are heavy favourites to make it into the last four and a step closer to a second successive League Cup final, although they’ll hope for a better outcome if they do make the Wembley showpiece in February.

With January fast approaching, Klopp could already be considering how best to strengthen his squad ahead of a title challenge, with the defence the area many feel could let them down as the season progresses.

Thus, here is the dream Liverpool backline, including two key January targets…

RB – Nathaniel Clyne

He may have lost the number one right-back spot in the England team recently, but Nathaniel Clyne is still the best option in that position at Anfield.

The 25-year-old made a £15 million switch to Merseyside last season, and effortlessly slotted into the Liverpool defence, appearing over 50 times for the club in all competitions last time out.

The former Crystal Palace and Southampton defender has started every league game for the Reds this season and, given that he is just as adept going forward as he is at defending, he is going to be an important part of the Liverpool backline for many years to come.

CB – Jonathan Tah

Liverpool bought one defender from the Bundesliga in the summer, Joel Matip, and they could be set to take another one from the German top-flight in January.

Manager Klopp is reportedly interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, who was an integral part of the side that finished third in the Bundesliga last season, and in turn qualified for the Champions League.

That was the 20-year-old’s first season at the club following a move from Hamburg in 2015, but he immediately established himself as Leverkusen’s key defender with a string of excellent displays.

Tah has already appeared 17 times for the club this season, including in both Champions League games against Tottenham, and would certainly strengthen the Liverpool backline.

He’s a ball-playing centre-back but one that is strong and can defend expertly, and a partnership with Matip could be what Liverpool need to win the title this season.

CB – Joel Matip

A few eyebrows were raised when Liverpool completed the signing of Schalke defender Joel Matip in the summer, but it has proven to be a brilliant piece of business by the Reds.

The 25-year-old has been at the heart of the Liverpool defence this season, and looks set to lead the line for many years to follow.

He’s a strong tackler, aerially brilliant, and reads the game very well, and his form and marshalling of the backline will be a crucial factor in what Liverpool go on to achieve this season.

LB – Jose Gaya

The left-back spot is a bit of a problem area for Liverpool, well at least it was until James Milner deputised there.

The former England international, a midfielder by trade, filled in following Alberto Moreno’s horror show at Arsenal on the opening day, and has done a pretty good job down the left-hand-side.

However, it’s not the long-term solution, and there are still question marks over whether he can perform effectively in that role against the top sides week in week out.

Thus, Klopp should take a look at Valencia left-back Jose Gaya, who is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe.

The 21-year-old has appeared 70 times in all competitions for the Spanish outfit in the last two seasons, and has started ten of their 13 La Liga games this time around.

He is highly-rated and may cost a lot, but it’s a move Klopp should seriously consider in a bid to solve Liverpool’s long-term left-back concerns.