Perhaps still overcoming the loss of Luis Suarez, Liverpool have endured a difficult start to the 2014/15 campaign.
Indeed, they’re currently 14th in the Premier League following defeats to Manchester City, Aston Villa and West Ham, whilst the Reds’ Champions League ambitions took a hit last night as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, courtesy of FC Basel.
Brendan Rodgers is struggling to find the formula and the new signings are yet to fill Suarez’ almighty void as a collective. It could take another spending spree in January for the Anfield boss to rescue his club’s season.
And just in case B-Rod is short on a few ideas, here’s FIVE super-signings that could get Liverpool back on track.
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GONZALO HIGUAIN
Liverpool signed two strikers this summer but Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli are both struggling to adapt to Anfield life, netting just one Premier League goal between them in Daniel Sturridge’s injury absence.
According to the tabloids, Brendan Rodgers is convinced he needs another front-man and has resultantly targeted Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain:
The Argentina international is rarely discussed as a member of Europe’s striking elite but he left Real Madrid with a fantastic goal-record and has maintained that proficiency in Serie A:
Here’s a look at the striker’s Top Ten goals for the European Champions:
The 26 year-old is yet to get off the mark domestically this season but he’s remained an integral component in build-up play, as shown below:
This assist against Sassuolo last weekend particularly stood out:
Higuain would certainly add further quality to Liverpool’s forward line, and The Express claim Napoli are already lining up a replacement in Porto striker Jackson Martinez.
Potential transfer fee:£30million-£40million
PACO ALCACER
A significantly cheaper alternative to Gonzalo Higuain could come in the form of La Liga trailblazer Paco Alcacer, commonly mooted as a target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs:
The 21 year-old striker has been in lethal form so far this season, as shown below:
And that proficiency in front of goal has earned Alcacer a place in the Spain set up, with Vincente del Bosque using the international break to grant the Valencia starlet his competitive debut.
Here’s a look at the young front-man in action:
Alcacer’s contract includes a £15million release clause, leading one Spanish publication to dub him ‘the bargain of Europe’.
Indeed, the January window could witness a continent-spanning bidding war for Alcacer’s services, and Liverpool would be wise to get in the action. But Los Che plan to bump up their prodigy’s buy-out fee to a borderline-insane £40million.
Potential transfer fee:£15million – if Alcacer’s release clause is raised, he’ll be staying with Valencia.
SAMI KHEDIRA
Steven Gerrard has struggled at the anchor of midfield this season and in truth, the Liverpool captain has always lacked the discipline – with and without the ball – for that role.
The Reds need another holding option and according to the tabloids, that could be Real Madrid enforcer Sami Khedira:
A Champions League and World Cup winner, the 27 year-old is considered to be one of the leading midfielders in world football. Here’s a look at the Germany international in action:
A player of such quality may seem outside Liverpool’s reach right now following their subdued start to the season, but Khedira is yet to extend his current contract at the Bernabeu, which expires in the summer.
Carlo Ancelotti claimed in August that the 6 foot 3 midfielder’s future wasn’t in doubt. But he’s made just two substitute outings so far this season and unless Los Blancos secure new terms for Khedira, Liverpool – and his many other suitors – will test their resolve in January.
Potential transfer fee: £9million-£15million.
VICTOR VALDES
Simon Mignolet’s performances have come under criticism of late – Gary Neville and Steve McManaman even found holes to pick in his attempt to save Phil Jagielka’s wonder-strike at the weekend:
Indeed, the Belgium international certainly seems out of his depth on occasion and Liverpool’s qualification into next season’s Champions League could well depend on better performances between the sticks.
With that in mind, rumours speculating goalkeeper Victor Valdes could be on his way to Anfield are not hard to find:
The 32 year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Barcelona in the summer, where he amassed six La Liga titles and three Champions League titles as the Catalans’ No.1. Here’s a collection of the Spain international’s best ever saves:
Currently in search of employment, Liverpool can offer the former Nou Camp shot-stopper a contract at any time. But he left Barcelona with an ACL injury and will likely be some way off match fitness.
EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI
Another January signing that would significantly bolster Liverpool’s firepower is Argentina international Ezequeil Lavezzi, linked with an Anfield switch by a number of online sources:
The 29 year-old was a potent performer at former club Napoli and has likewise provided an important contribution to the Parisians’ escapades over the last two seasons, as detailed below:
But he’s reportedly fallen out of favour with Laurent Blanc this season, having started just two Ligue 1 fixtures out of a possible five. Resultantly, it’s believed Lavezzi is eying a move away in January.
Capable of playing out-wide or centrally, boasting stereotypical south American flair and famed for his industriousness of the ball, the PSG forward could well be the natural replacement to Luis Suarez Liverpool struggled to find this summer. Here’s a look at Lavezzi in action:
His contract expires in 2016 too, so January would be a wise time for PSG to sell before the former Serie A star’s value begins to depreciate.
Potential transfer fee:£10million-£20million.
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