With the summer window fast approaching I’m expecting a busy summer at Liverpool football club.FSG have backed Rodgers in the past over dealings and I expect the same to happen this summer.... Albeit not to the extent of sanctioning £35m for an unproven player.
There’s a lot of talk and rumours about who's coming and who's going, but this is a piece on the five players i believe Brendan Rodgers needs to go out and sign as soon as possible.
Toby Alderweireld:
As I’ve stated before Jamie Carragher is set to retire from the game and move to the glorious world of sports punditry so this leaves us a massive hole at the back that needs to be filled with a defender who knows the game and can do the job.
Alderweireld has already openly admitted he is unlikely to move to Russia or to a team that already has a lot of central defenders (1) and with Liverpool needing a replacement for Carragher this summer and his age fitting into the FSG policy, the Belgium international would be a prime target to fill the void left by the departing Vice captain.
He fits the style of defenders that Brendan Rodgers likes (passing out from the back and being comfortable on the ball), and given the fact that at 24 he's already been capped 23 times at international level proves he has the experience.
Douglas:
This is a name readers might remember from last year when Newcastle United tried to sign the Brazilian-born centre-back from Dutch side FC Twente.
The defender has been at the club since 2007 and has clocked up and impressive 145+ appearances.
Douglas is likely to leave Twente this summer with his contract expiring and Liverpool were reportedly going to try and snap him up on a free transfer. (2)
Victor Wanyama:
Celtic's £10 million-rated defensive midfielder is reportedly gathering interest from a host of clubs and Liverpool need to make assurances they sign the 21-year-old.
Again he fits the FSG policy of buying young proven players and after his impressive displays in midfield during the Champions League for Celtic especially against Barcelona, he is definitely one player to get into the squad.
He’s strong in the challenge and distributes the ball well and would provide extra competition for Lucas Leiva.
Christen Eriksen:
Eriksen has long been scouted and would be seen a major coup if he can be tempted to join the Reds, he embodies everything the club are looking for in a player, classy, skilled, goals scoring, experience & great movement, essentially the complete player.
His price tag is set between £15m-£20m and for a player of his age that seems quite high but if he reaches his potential then Liverpool could recoup this and more if he was to leave.
His record for an attacking midfielder of his age is excellent aswell making over 100 appearances for Ajax and scoring 23 goals.
Loic Remy:
With QPR officially relegated the players who are set to leave could be good news for clubs like Liverpool, with Bredan Rodgers looking for experience in the striking position aswell as cover for the banned Luis Suarez, Remy would represent a great bargain if he were to join the Reds.
There is talk of a release clause in his contract (as with a lot of the players at QPR) and the figure is thought to be only £5m (3) which would appeal to FSG and their financially conscious policy on spending.
Remy, who is also wanted by the likes of both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur (4), is the right age at 26 to take on such a demanding task at a club the size of Liverpool and with all the expectations that will naturally come with such a move.
Sources:
1. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/390262/Toby-Alderweireld-has-heart-set-on-Liverpool-switch
2. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2319962/Liverpool-Brazilian-defender-Douglas-replace-Jamie-Carragher.html
3. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/05/02/3947411/liverpool-tottenham-alerted-by-cut-price-remy-clause
4. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/396205/Arsenal-Liverpool-and-Tottenham-target-Loic-Remy-wants-Premier-League-stay
Source: DSG
