Liverpool will start this week on a high, despite the disappointing midweek Europa League game, a thumping 5-0 win against manager Brendan Rodgers’ ex club Swansea City will definitely have boosted the players’ morale. However is it no question that Liverpool will have to strengthen their team in the summer transfer window, especially with possibly Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez, all key players, being on the move come July.
Goalkeeper
With Pepe Reina apparently on the move to Barcelona, the much loved keeper will have to be replaced, so one name that could pop up could be Victor Valdes of Barcelona, in a swap deal with Reina, therefore bringing in a goalkeeper with great experience and playing at such a high level, however he has been known to be slightly unreliable at times. There has also been talk of AS Roma’s Maarten Stekelenburg too, alongside Wigan Athletic’s Ali Al-Habsi, who would both be available for around the £5-£10million mark.
Defenders
Jamie Carragher’s upcoming retirement, Sebastian Coates not managing to step up, and the supposed mutual dislike between Martin Skrtel and Brendan Rodgers means a central defender may have to be bought in the summer. 28 year old Ashley Williams of Swansea is someone that Rodgers would like to link up again with, however with the owners’ reluctancy to buy ‘older’ players, it may be hard for Rodgers. They have also been linked with Atheltic Bilbao’s Fernando Amorebieta and PSG’s Mamadou Sakho too.
Midfielders
Liverpool are supposedly interested in Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is in the final 18 months of his contract. The just turned 21 year old is highly sought after from top clubs all through Europe, but Liverpool are apparently leading the chase for the Danish midfielder. Liverpool may also look at winger options, in Balazs Dzsudzsak of Dynamo Moscow, who they apparently tried to sign in January, but Dynamo refused to sell, however his agent has said he hopes a deal may be able to happen in the summer. He would be alongside other winger, ex-Liverpool player Tom Ince, who only left Liverpool last summer, who is supposedly desperate to re-join. Hatem Ben Arfa, the attacking midflieder from Newcastle has already been named in a possible cash plus swap deal for Andy Carroll, and Liverpool fans are still dreaming of a possible Xabi Alonso return, however doubtful that may seem.
Strikers
Brendan Rodgers’ acquisition of Daniel Sturridge has paid off so far, with great performances, making four league starts and scoring four league goals already. However with Luis Suarez possibly off in the summer, they will have a big gap to fill. Spartak Moscow and Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike has been named as a possible replacement, and is valued at around the £10 million mark. However I could see them spending big on a player like Christian Benteke of Aston Villa, or even January target Kevin Gameiro who plays for PSG.
