Liverpool are second at Christmas for the first time in 27 years after an excellent opening half of the Premier League season.

Jurgen Klopp’s men needed a 94th minute winner from Sadio Mane to see off Merseyside rivals Everton on Monday, a result which sent them above Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City into second in the table and six points behind league leaders Chelsea.

The Reds have won 11 of their opening 17 matches, and host Stoke on December 27 before a tricky game against Manchester City at Anfield on New Year’s Eve as they look to close the gap between them and Antonio Conte’s Blues.

Klopp’s men had won one of just four Premier League matches prior to a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough and, although they looked set to drop points at Goodison Park on Monday, their relentless pressure eventually paid off, securing a hugely important three points going into the busy Christmas period.

The Reds are certainly in the title race, but many still feel that Klopp’s side will come up short this season unless he brings in new faces in January.

Thus, here are TWO former Liverpool players who could make a return to Anfield next month…

Daniel Ayala

Liverpool are struggling a bit in defence, so could be tempted by former Reds centre-back Daniel Ayala in January.

The 26-year-old left Anfield in 2011 after just five Premier League appearances for the Reds, joining Norwich City in their 2011/12 top-flight campaign, although he only appeared ten times for the Canaries.

Ayala then moved to Middlesbrough after a decent loan spell there in 2013, and remains a key part of the Boro squad who are embarking on their first Premier League campaign since 2009.

The Spaniard hasn’t featured too often this season, but has proven to be a solid and dependable defender in a Boro team that are always tough to beat.

He could give Liverpool some depth in defence.

Suso

Suso came through the academy at Liverpool, signing a professional contract at Anfield in 2010.

However, he didn’t make his first team debut until 2012, although went on to make 20 appearances in that season for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Yet, that was as good as it got for the 23-year-old, who spent time on loan at Almeria the season after, and then eventually left to join AC Milan in 2015.

Since then, the attacker has begun to show his potential, netting six times in 19 games for Genoa last season, and already scoring five and assisting six for Milan this time around.

Suso is really beginning to make a difference at the San Siro, and is slowly becoming one of their most important players – could he return to Liverpool and show them what they missed?