Despite it still being a few months away from the opening of the summer transfer window, the end of the season is actually a lot closer than it seems, so there will, of course, be rumours floating around with every team, about suspected arrivals and departures from their club, however this post will not only focus on who we have been linked with, but who would be realistic and ideal purchases, to help push us towards the Champions League next season.
First of all, I think Luis Suarez will stay over the summer, so a replacement is not what will be needed for him, however I think another forward in the mix would be a great acquisition, as even though we have Suarez, Sturridge, Borini, Coutinho, Sterling and Suso, the latter three are still very young, so someone with a bit more experience would be a good start. If we was looking for more of a creative attacking player, then Alexis Sanchez would be a great buy, as even though he has not replicated his Udinese form at Barcelona, he still shows moments of why Barca paid so much for him. Sanchez looks set to leave in the summer, and Barca would be willing to take a hit on him, to fund other transfer investments.
If we was looking for more of a direct striker, then PSG’s Kevin Gameiro could be an option, as he has fallen down the pecking order, behind Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi and Lucas Moura, all big money signings, however at his previous club Lorient, he scored an impressive 50 goals in 108 games, nearly a goal every other game.
For midfield, we have a pretty calm and collected three in Gerrard, Lucas and Allen, however there is one man who has been linked, that all Liverpool fans would welcome back with open arms, and that is Xabi Alonso. If we did manage to come to some agreement with Xabi, it would definitely be our buy of the season, as he would bring a new dimension to our team, not only in re-forming the brilliant partnership that he and Gerrard had, but would allow Gerrard to move up the pitch, and his pin-point distribution to the wingers and Sturridge would create a much more attacking team.
I think however more focus will be left towards signing a winger than a central midfielder, again like Sanchez, but other possibilities could include the Dutch Eljero Elia, of Werder Bremen, or for a more costly fee, Atletico Madrid’s Arda Turan would be a great signing too, but it would mean out for Assaidi, who I think could shine if he was given more of a chance.
A centre-back will be a priority in the summer, as Carragher is retiring, Coates has failed to make a massive impression on the first team, and a supposed rift between Skrtel and Rodgers, then we may need to get two central defenders. Someone that would fit in really well is Borussia Dortmund’s Brazilian Felipe Santana, who finds himself as an understudy to Subotic and Hummels. His strength and pace makes him a great match for some of the League’s faster strikers, but also offers the sort of option Agger does, in possibly being a more attacking central defender.
Or Rodgers could go back to his Swansea routes, with the powerhouse that is Ashley Williams, who is also wanted by Arsenal. However he does not fit into FSG’s transfer policy, so that might be a stumbling block if we really wanted to sign him.
If we were looking for someone to challenge as a fullback, then Valencia’s Aly Cissokho would be one of the best choices, and has already expressed his desire to play for Liverpool, saying that ‘it’s pleasing to see my name linked to that of the Reds, they’re a great club’.
I would love to keep Pepe at Liverpool, but feel an understudy to take over the position in years to come would be a good idea, to learn and train with Reina himself. After missing out on Jack Butland to Stoke, I think the perfect signing would be Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Borussia Monchengladbach, who is only 20 years of age, but is already highly rated, and has been compared to Oliver Kahn.
However to fund these signings, it might mean a clear out come summer, and it is inevitable players will leave, but until then, if you fancy a clear out so you can afford the new 2013-14 kit with your new favourite player on, then why not sell your xbox and games, and get ready for the season, in which we hopefully manage to reach the Champions League places.
By Joe Hale
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