Liverpool finished a disappointing season in 7th place, behind arch rivals Everton. The target for the season had been to try and break into the top four and get into the Champions League. That didn’t happen but Liverpool will try again this season. Here are 10 players who could improve Liverpool’s squad.
David Villa- Barcelona
The Spanish striker has been linked with several top European clubs this season including Liverpool. Villa had a frustrating season at Barcelona, failing to stay in the clubs starting eleven for a good amount of time. With Barcelona bringing Brazilian wonder kid Neymar to the Nou Camp next season, Villa’s chances of a prolonged run in the first team appear to be even more difficult. The striker wants to play for Spain in next summers World Cup and the best chance to do that would be to be playing first team football, something that will be unlikely at Barca. So a move away from the Nou Camp maybe Villa’s best option.
Ashley Williams- Swansea City
Williams has had a very successful season for Swansea, captaining the club to a victory in the League Cup final and a top ten finish in the Premier League. The success of Williams at Swansea has attracted interest from other clubs, one of those being Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers is a huge admirer of Williams, who he managed during his time at Swansea. Rodgers was said to be interested in bringing Williams to Anfield last summer but decided not to and brought midfielder Joe Allen with him instead. It looks like Rodgers is going back to Swansea this summer to sign Williams, which is sure to appeal to the defender, who enjoyed playing under Rodgers and would enjoy a club of Liverpool’s stature. Liverpool aren’t the only club who are interested in signing Williams however, with Arsenal said to want the defender. Reports suggest that Arsenal are close to signing Williams, who could pick them over Liverpool due to the fact that the Gunners are in next seasons Champions League. Swansea are demanding £10 million for their captain and will not want to let their captain go without a fight.
Simon Mignolet- Sunderland
The Sunderland goalkeeper has had a strong season on Wear side, producing many outstanding performances that helped to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League. Those performances have attracted the interest of a host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. The Reds could lose goalkeeper Pepe Reina to Barcelona this summer. Reina has been rumoured to be Barcelona’s number one target should their goalkeeper Victor Valdes decide to leave the Nou Camp this summer. Reina hasn’t been in the best of form this summer, making a series of uncharacteristic mistakes. A move away from Anfield maybe beneficial to both Liverpool and Barcelona. It appears that Mignolet is one of the front runners should Reina leave. The goalkeeper has also stated his desire to move away Sunderland, to a bigger club where he can challenge himself against the best. Other teams have also been interested in Mignolet, with Arsenal and Manchester United said to be monitoring the Belgians situation.
Asmir Begovic- Stoke City
Asmir Begovic is another goalkeeper who has been linked with a move to Liverpool. With Pep Reina’s future undecided, Liverpool are looking at possible replacements and seem to be looking heavily at Begovic and Mignolet. The Stoke keeper has had a strong season, like Mignolet, despite his clubs troubles in other areas of the pitch. Begovic has pulled off a number of impressive saves to keep Stoke in games that they would otherwise have lost easily. Despite a strong season at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke appear to be willing to let Begovic leave if a team matches their £12 million asking price. Begovic has attracted interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City as well as Liverpool. At United, City and Arsenal, Begovic may have to play understudy to goalkeepers currently in possession of the number one jersey. Should Reina leave, Begovic would be number one at Liverpool and it is believed that he would rather that than go to a team and not be the clubs first choice. Liverpool may step up their interest in Begovic once the future of Pepe Reina is resolved.
Christan Benteke- Aston Villa
Benteke is one of this summers top transfer targets, with many clubs in the Premier League and Europe said to be interested in signing the striker. Liverpool are no exception and could consider themselves as frontrunners for the Belgians signature. Benteke has had a strong season for Villa, his goals keeping the club in the Premier League. He can be a nightmare for defenders, as proved during Villa’s 6-1 victory Sunderland, a result that kick started the clubs push towards survival. Liverpool are strongly considering signing Benteke due to the situation surrounding striker Luis Suarez. It appears that Suarez is on his way out of Anfield following a controversial season with Real Madrid said to be preparing a bid. If Suarez does leave as expected, Benteke would be a perfect replacement, and is a goal scorer who could help Liverpool move up towards the top 4. Other clubs interested in Beneteke are Athletico Madrid, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton although Liverpool could count themselves as frontrunners at this stage.
Dejan Lovren- Lyon
Liverpool are looking to strengthen their defence this season following the retirement of club legend Jamie Carragher. Rumours also persist about the future of defenders Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, with Skrtel said to be interested in a move to Arsenal or Rafa Benitez’s new club Napoli. With so many defenders possibly leaving Anfield, manager Brendan Rodgers will need to strengthen that area. Dejan Lovren is a player that Liverpool have been linked with before and are again this summer. The Croatian centre back has reportedly had a falling out with club officials at Lyon after he criticised the club. This has been seen as a possible attempt by Lovren to manufacture a move away from the French club. Liverpool are seen as front runners for the defender should he leave Lyon and is a player who Brendan Rodgers could build a new look defence around, possibly including Swansea City defender Ashley Williams.
Henrikh Mkhhitaryan- Shaktah Donetsk
The Armenian is one of Europe’s most wanted midfielders, with a host of clubs interested in the Donetsk central midfielder. Mkhitaryan has had a very successful season at Shaktah Donetsk, scoring an incredible 19 goals from midfield. Many clubs in Europe would be happy to have a midfielder scoring that many goals and Liverpool are no different. Scoring goals from midfield was a problem last season for the Reds and Brendan Rodgers will be keen to address those problems by signing the Armenian. The cost of Mkhitaryan could be a problem however, with Shaktah said to be demanding £25 million for the midfielder. The Reds may not be able to afford the transfer fee unless they make money selling some players. Striker Luis Suarez could be key to this if he decides to leave during the summer. Chelsea and Manchester City are also interested in the midfielder, which could be another problem for Liverpool as they can offer the midfielder Champions League football. The reason for the midfidler leaving Shaktah is that they are no longer in next seasons Champions League.
Christian Eriksen- Ajax
The Danish midfielder is one of Europe’s most highly rated young players, producing many eye catching performances for Ajax and the Danish national team. Liverpool have been interested in Eriksen for a couple of years and have been urged to sign the midfielder but Danish defender Daniel Agger. Eriksen is a creative midfielder who is able to pass the ball about and create chances for his strikers with intelligent passes. Eriksen would suit Liverpool’s style of play under Brendan Rodgers and has already been considered a future star by many former greats. Signing Eriksen would be expensive and it is unknown whether Liverpool could afford to sign him without selling players. Again, the situation surrounding striker Luis Suarez could be key in whether Liverpool go for Eriksen or not. If Liverpool do want to sign Eriksen they may have to move quickly, with Boussia Dortmund said to be preparing a bid for the midfielder. Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal are also known to be interested in Eriksen as well as other top clubs throughout Europe. Liverpool will have to hurry or risk losing a player they have courted for years.
Etienne Capoue- Toulouse
The 24 year old midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League for sometime with QPR said to be interested in January, with Harry Redknapp being an admired of the Frenchman. Since then, QPR have been relegated so the are out of the running to sign the France International. This has left the race to sign Capoue open, with Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool all interested in the midfielder. Capoue has confirmed that the he will be leaving Toulose this summer and the Premier League looks to be his destination. Liverpool would be interested in the French midfielder, with Brendan Rodgers interested in bringing a midfielder to Anfield as the powers of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard seem to be on the wane. Capoue could form an interesting midfield partnership with young Welsh midfielder Joe Allen. Allen is a midfielder full of promise as is Capoue and Rodgers could see them as his central midfield partnership for many years. With Tottenham and Arsenal interested in the midfielder, Rodgers will have competition for Capoue and may have to sign the Frenchman quickly in order to get his man.
Carlos Tevez- Manchester City
Carlos Tevez is a player that fans either love or hate. He polarises opinion throughout Europe and has an incredibly controversial player during his time in the Premier League. He has had spells at West Ham and Manchester United before moving to Manchester City, with much fanfare at the Etihad. Tevez was close to leaving City in 2011 when he had a very public falling out with manager Roberto Mancini. After a few months, the spat was resolved and Tevez return to help City win their first Premier League title in 44 years. Whatever is said about Tevez, the striker is a class player, capable of very energetic performances and an ability to score goals at crucial times. Tevez would bring undoubted quality to a Liverpool side lacking in quality. He would also bring goals, something in short supply at Liverpool without Suarez. Tevez would alsocourt controversy but Liverpool will be used to that having had Luis Suarez on their books. Liverpool would have to compete with Juventus, AS Monaco and Paris St Germain for the signature of Carlos Tevez. Both French clubs have a lot of money to spend so it remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be able to compete with them while Juventus are Italian Champions and competing for silverware. Liverpool aren’t quite at that level yet and Tevez may not want to wait around for that to happen.