With Lazar Markovic set to join Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Emre Can, Liverpool’s squad as a whole appears much stronger than last season… even with Luis Suarez gone!
The Reds have invested around £60m in fresh talent in recent weeks, but with the cash from the sale of their talismanic number seven the arrivals are unlikely to stop anytime soon, as Brendan Rodgers seeks quality and quantity to cope with European and domestic action at Anfield.
The aforementioned signings have gone some way to plugging certain gaps in the Merseysiders’ ranks, but more players in more positions will be needed if last season is to be one that doesn’t go down as a flash in the pan at the club. Here are six players we at FFC towers believes could round off Liverpool’s first-team…
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Alberto Moreno
Since the days of John-Arne Riise (and he wasn’t always convincing), Liverpool haven’t really had a top class left-back in their ranks. Jose Enrique missed most of last season through injury, while Aly Cissokho’s forgettable displays led to young right-footer Jon Flanagan taking over the role. Although impressive, the local lad was a square peg in a round hole, and Rodgers is sure to want an orthodox left-sided defender.
Moreno is the top target, and has been for a while, with reports suggesting the Reds are back in for the Spaniard after talk circulated that a deal was off. Iago Aspas has recently joined Sevilla on loan, which may help to smooth negotiations for a deal that is likely to be worth somewhere between £15m-£20m.
As the 22-year-old’s defensive stats show, he’s an able performer and one that could well improve around better players…
Dejan Lovren
The Southampton to Liverpool express has been in regular action so far this summer, and the next player to board looks set to be Lovren. The Croatian centre-back has already said that his head is “at Liverpool”, lending credence to reports that the Reds are ready to push through a deal worth around £20m.
Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho were impressive at centre-back last season, but with Daniel Agger set to leave, a new man will be needed to rotate in and out of the team. Lovren’s addition would also allow Rodgers to field a mean 3-man defence, which he did on multiple occasions last season.
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Marco Reus
Alexis Sanchez was originally dubbed as Suarez’s heir at Anfield, but with the Chilean having opted for Arsenal, Reus is now a rumoured target. The Reds have played down links with the Germany international – who missed the World Cup through injury – yet this could be a move to ensure that a swoop doesn’t not become public knowledge.
Reus would be an ideal replacement for the departed Uruguayan, with his versatility and flair likely to make him an ideal fit in a Rodgers team.
He’s pretty special, this lad…
Jay Rodriguez
Lallana, Lambert and maybe Lovren could well be followed to Liverpool by Rodriguez. The versatile forward is currently out with a serious knee injury, but the Reds are thought to be monitoring his situation with a view to a big move.
Playing from a wide attacking role for Southampton, J-Rod was in excellent form last season, averaging almost a goal every other game, which led to talk of a World Cup call-up before his ACL trouble ended the campaign early for him.
He has a good working relationship with his ex-Saints team-mates, which could help with continuity at Anfield in a period of great change.
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While outfield players have dominated the rumours on Merseyside, a goalkeeper to challenge Simon Mignolet is also needed. The Belgian was in good form last term, but as the campaign went on some shaky displays crept in leading to criticism from the fans.
Vorm has proven himself to be an able stopper with the Swans since his 2011, switch to England, when he was signed by Rodgers, with his shot-stopping earning widespread praise. The Dutchman is also able with his feet, which is a key characteristic in Liverpool’s current style of play.
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A long-term target back on the Reds’ agenda seems to be Turan, who is fresh from La Liga glory with Atletico Madrid. Liverpool have been linked with the Turkish star for some time, with the player himself having revealed an eagerness to switch to Anfield in the past.
Able to play on either flank or in a central role, Turan could be a useful tool for Rodgers as he plots to build a strong squad, but his price – £32m – may be a stumbling block.
We’re not really sure what this is about, but it’s pretty decent…
