As I’m writing this, it is the 12th of December, and the much awaited, much needed January transfer market for Liverpool is just within reach.
After the sales of the likes of Charlie Adam to Stoke, Nathan Eccleston to Blackpool, as well as loan deals for Andy Carroll to the recently-beaten West Ham and Jay Spearing to newly-relegated Bolton, the Liverpool squad is immensely thin. These are just a few players whom have left, of course.
While there are a handful of players who left the club, a few were brought in as well. Fabio Borini and Joe Allen, two players that Brendan Rodgers is familiar with, have been brought in for a reported combined fee of £25 million. A while later, a £3million transfer of Oussama Assaidi happened underneath everyone’s noses, being a transfer that came out of absolutely nowhere. Nuri Sahin was also brought in on loan.
Not even halfway through the interval between the windows, Fabio Borini suffered a foot injury during his time with his national squad while Lucas Leiva suffered an injury of his own. Due to this, the squad is immensely thin, forcing the use of youngsters within the youth squad.
While Lucas is back, the absence of Borini has seen Downing, Suso and even Enrique played more in offensive positions. Recently, when Luis Suarez was serving a one-game suspension against West Ham, even Jonjo Shelvey was deployed further up the pitch, signalling just how limited our options are up front.
This begs the question – what type of players should Liverpool target in this coming January transfer window? Here are my ideal options.
1. A Versatile Forward
By “versatile forward”, I mean someone that can play anywhere across the front three. Thus far, we’ve been using a few make-shift wingers in Suso or Enrique, although both have excelled in that role. However, Suso is more of a super-sub-like of player, often playing better when brought on, while Enrique can do alright as a wingback for Liverpool.
Stewart Downing has been at most, decent in forward roles, occasionally putting in a good cross, although his performances are still way far from those of his days at Middlesbrough or Aston Villa. His recent performance against West Ham was very mediocre at right wing, although he did play shockingly well at left-back after Enrique’s injury forced Brendan Rodgers to make a change in tactics.
On the other hand, two regulars – Suarez and Sterling, have both managed to retain their forward spots in the first team, although Sterling has been struggling when playing through the middle in a few games. Fabio Borini is absent through injury, and the lack of playtime for Oussama Assaidi is widely questioned and wondered by fans.
This obviously calls for a versatile forward to be brought in, someone comfortable of running the flanks as well as take responsibilities as a centre forward if ever called upon. We had that in Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy last season, but unfortunately, all three veterans to the game have left the club.
My Choice? Theo Walcott.
I remember watching Theo for the first time in an England game, when my dad said that he’s been watching Walcott for a rather long time and would be a good centre-forward. He’s been incredible at counter-attacks with his blistering pace, and can also put in a decent cross every now and then. His ability to finish the ball and put it where it belongs is one of the few players that Liverpool needs.
Recent contractual breakdowns signals an opportunity for Liverpool to pick him up and offer him his centre-forward spot he so desperately craves. A reported valuation of £12million seems reasonable.
2. A Target-Man
“But we have Andy Carroll…”
Andy Carroll is just tall and big, but that’s not everything when it comes to a target man, at least not in my books.
A target man has to be strong, balanced and able to hold the ball confidently up front. He has to be able to make short-distance dribbles and runs (off and on the ball), as well as able to take one-touch shots. Finally, he also has to be good with his head, heading the ball with purpose.
Thus far, I’ve not seen Andy being able to do that. He is rather clumsy at times, almost always falling and tumbling throughout a game. His headers are sub-par. While having scored some goals, his heading still hasn’t convinced me. Often times when long balls are played to him, he does win the aerial battle, but does not direct the ball where he wants it to be. Again, stats are mere numbers, so I don’t judge Andy Carroll’s heading abilities by the number of aerial duels he’s won, but rather where the ball ends up at and whether it was intentional or not. He’s a good player to some extent, but a Liverpool-worthy player? Maybe not.
After draws with Stoke, Everton and just barely beating West Ham, it’s clear that we need a physical presence upfront to hold off teams with stronger defenders.
My Choice? Anyone.
No, seriously, I’ve no names to throw on here because most above-average target men aren’t realistic targets (Falcao, Llorente, etc.). There are calls for Edin Dzeko, but that is highly unlikely as well considering his wages.
It’s in situations like these when the scouts of the club are key. They have to find talented, high-potential players that are able to play this style of a striker that can be transferred at an affordable price.
For example, Aston Villa bought Christian Benteke – a strong, young, talented and most importantly, affordable player. Liverpool should be looking to do the same.
3. A Creative Midfielder
One thing about a passing team is just how painfully direct the game can be at times. We have Steven Gerrard playing the defence-splitting pass every now and then, Suso has his clever moves on the ball while Suarez and his nutmegs speaks for themselves… But that’s pretty much it.
Direct and straightforward passes can become way too predictable and it makes it very easy for opposition to defend a team like Liverpool. In the past, we had Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera, whom are both more than capable to bring creativity to the team whenever needed, and we seem to be lacking that at the moment, considering Joe Cole hasn’t been replicating his trickery from his days at Chelsea.
My Choice? Christien Eriksen.
Hey, if we can spend £35 million on Andy Carroll and £15 million on Joe Allen, why can’t we spend on Eriksen? Brilliant talent at just 20 years of age. Attacking minded, can dribble, score, make the pass. Already a Danish international and a key player at Ajax. Realistic? Not too bad actually. Not high in chance, but still realistic to a certain extent.
4. A Versatile Defender
If there’s one thing that looks very good on paper, but not in the score lines of our games, it’s the defence. A back four consisting of Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jose Enrique can be deemed to be a solid one. But the overall performances can be inconsistent at times.
While we have Sebastien Coates, Andre Wisdom, Martin Kelly and Jack Robinson waiting to be the next defensive line for Liverpool, I personally think it would hurt to add just a bit more experience into the team.
With Carragher ageing and slowly being phased out of the team, a replacement is much welcomed. Adding on to that, Jose Enrique seems to be like one of those left-backs that are actually much better in a more attacking role, such as Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo of Real Madrid or Michel Bastos of Lyon.
My Choice? Toby Alderweireld.
Belgian defender who is still young, playing for Ajax, which speaks for itself. We’ve seen how good Tottenham’s Belgian signing from Ajax is, maybe Liverpool should give it a go. Able to play at left-back as well, he would provide necessary cover for both centre-back and left-back spots. He’s playing rather well and his peak might just be approaching.
The Spurs are also lurking around for him, and he would be an affordable buy for Liverpool.
5. A “Young” Goalkeeper
As many athletic saves as Reina has done throughout his Liverpool career, we can all agree that he’s not getting any younger. Prior to his injury this season, he has been mediocre at best. His highlights were the (very lucky) penalty save against West Brom and his quick reaction save against a point blank header in a Europa League tie with Udinese at Anfield.
On the downside, he has let in and made quite a number of mistakes as well, including a very poorly attempted save against Cazorla’s efforts that nabbed him a goal for Arsenal, a half-hearted attempt against a Van Persie penalty, and conceding easy goals against Norwich.
All in all, it’s been an up-and-down season for Reina, although he has been quite good after recovering from his injury. Nevertheless, he’s approaching the 30-mark, while our second and third choice keepers (Brad Jones, Doni) are veterans to the game. The closest player to the first team is Peter Gulacsi, who isn’t really convincing thus far, and that is why I think we should start looking for continuity NOW.
My Choice? Again, anyone!
When it comes to getting goalkeepers, everyone is a possible target. No one would expect Hugo Lloris to leave his home-nation as well as one of the top clubs in the world, but he did.
As long as a particular goalkeeper is affordable, young (aged 24/25 and below, in my books) and willing to learn from the veteran keepers of the club, he could possibly be a target.
Yet again, these are MY personal opinions on who Liverpool should target for in the January transfer window. It is NOT the absolute best solution for Liverpool, and my ideal targets aren’t limited to the players listed above, because I wouldn’t be analysing every single possible target for Liverpool. There are many other names (like Daniel Sturridge, Thomas Ince, and so on so forth), but I can’t possibly be listing every single one of them.
We all know that the media and rumours spreading around can go haywire at times like these, and everyone has their own views on who can be brought in to improve the club. Therefore, this article isn’t meant to close out debates, but rather to spark more debates and discussion. Regardless, as always, we’ll just have to wait and see.
As always, walk on with hope in your heart, and You’ll Never Walk Alone.
LFCImpulse 