A look at the work Brendan Rodgers could do to his squad this January.
Liverpool look likely to be busy again this January after doing some superb work in the transfer market during the summer. With just a few more deadwood players still needing to be cleared out by Brendan Rodgers, the Northern Irishman will be hoping to rid himself of a new unneeded squad members when the transfer window re-opens, and some possible targets are already being mentioned in various reports in the media. We have a look at three players who need to go, and three top targets the Reds should be aiming to bring in this January.
Out: Joe Allen
A key player for Brendan Rodgers at his former club Swansea, Joe Allen simply hasn’t managed to make the step up to playing for a big club like Liverpool. The midfield playmaker, dubbed by Rodgers as ‘the Welsh Xavi’ is decent at keeping play ticking along in midfield, but lacks the creativity needed from a player at this level, and simply doesn’t provide the quality to Liverpool’s attack that Xabi Alonso did in the past.
Although Allen is not currently being linked with anyone in particular, the 23-year-old seems an obvious candidate to make way this January as Liverpool continue to be linked with several players that play in his position. Alonso himself is one who could be lined up for a return to Anfield, and there were many others such as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Christian Eriksen that the Merseyside giants missed out on during the summer.
In: Javier Pastore (PSG)
One playmaker being eyed up by Liverpool is the immensely talented PSG star Javier Pastore. The Argentine was one of the first big-name and big-money signings made by the Ligue 1 giants following their Qatari takeover in 2011, and has shown himself to be a quality performer during his time in France. However, with the club continuing to target the world’s biggest players, Pastore has gradually slipped down in the pecking order and could be on his way out of the club this January.
The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked with the 24-year-old, and it is clear that he will be in-demand if he is made available when the transfer window re-opens, but Liverpool will be hoping to add him to their squad, as his intelligent and technical style fits the style of play adopted by Brendan Rodgers perfectly, and there’s no doubt the former Palermo man would be an upgrade on Joe Allen in the middle of the park.
Out: Martin Skrtel
With so many great options at centre-back now following the summer signings of Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure and Tiago Ilori, it is quite clear that Martin Skrtel is not needed at the club any longer. The Slovakian has been a good servant to Liverpool since joining from Zenit St Petersburg in 2008, but his form certainly dipped last season, which led to his being dropped by Brendan Rodgers.
Skrtel’s fight for a first-team place now looks greater than ever, and more likely is that he will have to look elsewhere for regular football, with the likes of Napoli and his old club Zenit linked with him in recent times. Liverpool could certainly do with offloading Skrtel from their wage bill and bring in some money to spend on other areas of their squad that are more in need of strengthening, so the sale of Skrtel this January looks likely and makes sense.
In: Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid)
As Liverpool don’t need a direct replacement for Skrtel given their numerous options at the back, they could be wise to step up their interest in Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan. The talented Turkish international has been a highly influential player for Diego Simeone’s side for the last couple of years and Liverpool are one of many Premier League sides said to have shown an interest in signing him, along with Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 26-year-old left-sided attacker has an impressive record of 13 goals and 25 assists in 98 appearances for the Spanish outfit, and would certainly add some quality to the Reds’ attack, which is still somewhat lacking in wingers following the summer departures of Stewart Downing and Oussama Assaidi, both of whom had struggled to impress in that department.
Turan will no doubt be one of the more expensive players on the market this January, with a rumoured release clause of around £34m, but depending on the sales of other players, Liverpool might be able to bring that kind of money together, though of course they would still face plenty of competition for his signature with so many top sides also tracking him.
Out: Luis Suarez
A controversial choice perhaps, but Liverpool could do with ridding themselves of the disruptive and troubling presence that is Luis Suarez. There’s no doubt that the Uruguayan is Liverpool’s best player and one of the best in the world on his day, though the fact that they have coped quite well without him at the start of the season while he finished his ten-game ban shows that perhaps with the fine form of Daniel Sturridge and the possibility of new signings, Reds fans need not worry so much about allowing him his dream move to Real Madrid.
With the Spanish giants likely to come calling again this January, it might be time to accept a big-money bid and be done with Suarez, who is unfortunately almost as well known for his on-field controversy as well as his footballing ability. With Real reportedly willing to pay as much as £50m for the 26-year-old, Liverpool could make some great investments to their squad and surely replace the influence of Suarez easily enough.
In: Michu (Swansea)
One striker who could be a great replacement upfront for Suarez would be Swansea City’s prolific Spaniard Michu. Liverpool have recently been linked with a £30m move for the talented forward, who has been a revelation in the Premier League since moving from Rayo Vallecano for just £2m last summer.
The 27-year-old managed an excellent 22 goals in all competitions, which helped fire the Swans to glory in the Capital One Cup and finish a highly impressive 9th in the league. His value has obviously shot up since he first moved to the Liberty Stadium, but he looks a player who would be worth a big fee for Liverpool. Arsenal have also shown a strong interest in Michu, and there’s no doubt Liverpool may have to act fast if they hope to beat off competition for his signature.