Five Premier League stars who should look to secure a loan move in January 

With the January transfer window only just under a month away, it is time for some players to seriously consider their short-term futures. It is normal for a player to want to stay at their club and fight for their place, but sometimes they need to look at the bigger picture. Considering the World Cup is just over six months down the road, regular football should be an absolute priority at this stage; even if it does mean a loan move to a lower division.

This piece will be discussing five players who should be considering loan moves in January.

#5 Dominic Solanke

At just 20 years of age, Solanke has already played for Liverpool and Chelsea, an impressive feat for someone of that age. Unfortunately, he is yet to be given a chance to thoroughly prove himself at the top level. Having been part of Chelsea since 2004, Solanke arrived in Merseyside in July this year and has managed nine league appearances for the Reds so far this term, eight of them being off the bench. The forward is yet to register a league goal for the club.

Solanke has a near-impossible task of making Klopp's starting XI with the attacking threat they pose already. With the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino occupying the attacking roles, Solanke should really consider a loan move.

The English forward has great potential and although fellow top-flight clubs may be interested, a move to a Championship outfit may prove more beneficial. There is no doubt Solanke is capable of tearing the second tier apart, which may do his confidence a world of good.

#4 Paulo Gazzaniga

Gazzaniga was sensational in his only appearance in the Premier League this season

Despite having only made a total of 22 Premier League appearances (for Spurs and Southampton), the Argentine shot-stopper has shown clear signs of the ability he possesses. Having started his senior career with Gillingham, Gazzaniga has managed to work his way to one of the best clubs in the country. The 25-year-old signed a five-year deal with Spurs in August 2017, reuniting with former boss and countryman, Mauricio Pochettino.

It is evident that Gazzaniga is a talented goalkeeper, hence Pochettino's wish to bring him to Spurs as a back-up, but the Argentine should be looking for first-team football. At 25, there is no doubt that his best years are ahead of him, but his development will not progress by sitting on the bench.

Gazzaniga has made one Premier League appearance this term, a game in which he earned the Man of the Match award courtesy a stunning performance in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. A loan move would be ideal for the keeper since while he may still have a future under Pochettino, game-time is a must.

#3 Ahmed Musa

Musa has not made a single appearance for the Foxes this season

After rejecting a loan move to Hull City during the last window, the Nigerian forward has failed to make a single Premier League appearance for the Foxes this term. This is extremely disappointing for Musa, considering he stayed put at the King Power to 'fight for his place'.

With the likes of Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki, Islam Slimani and fellow countryman, Kelechi Iheanacho in attack, it is always going to be tough for Musa to earn game time. With 21 league appearances last term, compared to his zero this time around, he must be considering a switch up in January.

The 25-year-old is a talented player, and the chances are there will be some top flight clubs taking a look at him if he does opt for a move in January. With Nigeria having qualified for next year's World Cup, Musa will try to do everything in his power to make the final squad, but, unfortunately for him, sitting on the bench will not achieve anything.

#2 Ademola Lookman

Lookman should look at a move to a Championship club

Despite having made six Premier League appearances so far this term (all from the bench), Everton possess many forwards ahead of Lookman in the pecking order. With the likes of Sandro Ramirez, Wayne Rooney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin available and Yannick Bolasie returning soon, the chances are Lookman's game time won't be increasing anytime soon.

At just 20 years of age, the young Englishman still has a majority of his career ahead of him, all the more reason why he should be looking to get game time and plenty of experience. He has already proven he can hold his own in the top flight, however, he isn't ready to be starting for the Toffees every week.

If Lookman does make himself available for a loan deal, there is the probability that a lot of clubs will be after him; possibly even a couple of Premier League outfits. However, a drop down to the Championship would do his confidence, and statistics, a world of good. There is no doubt that Lookman has the capability to tear the Championship apart, and that may just kick-start his career properly.

#1 Danny Ings

Ings has made just six league appearances for the Reds since his move to Anfield

Despite having made the switch to Liverpool over two years ago, Ings has only managed to register six Premier League appearances for the club. An impressive first top-flight season with Burnley earned the Englishman a move to Anfield; unfortunately, he hasn't been able to make an impact as of yet.

His time at the Reds has been hindered with injuries, but he has recently been scoring goals for the U23s (he bagged two in their most recent 4-3 loss to Stoke).

With the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all in fine form, Ings has a near-impossible task of earning himself a spot in Klopp's starting XI. The best thing for the 25-year-old at this point is to look for a loan move in January, to a fellow Premier League club ideally.

With the natural goal-scoring ability he possesses, there is no doubt his name will be on top of clubs' shortlists. Ings may want to stay and fight for his place at Liverpool, and he may still have a future at Anfield, but this season, he needs to move on.