5 players who could help Liverpool return to the Champions League

Brendan RodgersOnly a year ago, Liverpool were coming off a season in which they were inches from claiming their first ever Premier League title, only for it to slip away at the very last moment. And now 12 months on the excitement around Anfield seems to have completely vanished, as the Reds finished in a lowly seventh place and once again out of the Champions League.After the £75million sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer, the club hierarchy went out to buy a plethora of new players with the objective of reinforcing their squad, but the likes of Dejan Lovren, Mario Balotelli, and Lazar Markovic have not played anywhere near the value of their price tags.Without the same amount of funds as last year, Liverpool will need to spend wisely in the transfer market or risk another unsuccessful season.

#1 Lucas Digne

The pacey young left-back arrived from Lille to French Champions PSG in 2013, after a tremendous two seasons, playing 49 games despite only being 20. Since then, Digne, now 22, has struggled to cement a starting XI position for the Paris-based club, often losing out to the ever reliable and experienced Maxwell. However, when Digne was given a chance, he didn’t fail to impress. Playing 15 times, Digne suffered 0 defensive errors and won 32 of his aerial duels.

Comparing this to his competitor Maxwell, Digne won 14 more duels, despite playing more than 15 less games. In the end, Digne ended up coming 3rd in Ligue 1 for aerial wins, coming behind both his defensive teammates Thiago Silva and David Luiz.

In relation to Liverpool, Digne would be perfect to solving the problem of the left-back position, which Liverpool have had for a few seasons now. After a poor first season, Alberto Moreno has lost his space to the 18-year-old recently signed Joe Gomez, who, after his debut against Stoke last Sunday, looked composed and strong, but lacked the experience needed to play in the Premier League week in week out. Another member of the squad, Jose Enrique, can also play left-back, but has failed to impress Brendan Rodgers, leaving him out of the squad more often than not.

Lucas Digne would help LFC sure up an already suspect defence, and certainly move Liverpool in the right direction.

Likelihood of joining? 6/10 – Due to interest from Roma

#2 Alexandre Lacazette

After an incredible season with Lyon, we return again to the French Ligue 1, but this time, with an attacking option. It’s no surprise that Alexandre Lacazette has attracted attention from some top clubs after his performances for Lyon last season. The 24-year-old striker was the top scorer in the French division last season, out-scoring the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani.

The French international netted 27 times in 33 games and created a total of 54 chances for his teammates in the process. This kind of marquee player would surely help Liverpool secure a top 4 chance, after failing to find a goal-scorer when Luis Suarez departed. Having attracted attention from Arsenal and Manchester City, Liverpool would have to fight off other top clubs to get this man’s signature.

Likelihood of joining? 5/10 – Due to a recently signed new deal at Lyon.

#3 Thiago Motta

A surprising but logical option this could be. After a break down in tranfer talks with PSG and Atletico Madrid for the sale of Motta, it has emerged that Motta could be on Rodgers’ radar this Summer. Although not a huge game changer, It is the kind of signing Liverpool need if they wish to progress to the Champions League this season.

After experimenting with many players to fit in the Defensive Midfield role, Thiago Motta would be experience, solidarity and class to the LFC midfield. Emre Can, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen have all been trialed at DM, but nobody has emerged a definite starter.

Thiago Motta played 27 times for PSG in a competitive midfield, proving he has what it takes to play at the highest level. Having an average of 93% pass accuracy and 0 defensive errors in this time, Motta does a sure job sitting infront of the defence. Seeing as he is 32 years old, he would come cheap, and could prove to be one of the bargains of the transfer window.

Likelihood of joining? 7.5/10 – Many journalists and newspapers suggesting a bid is imminent.

#4 Lucas Biglia

Another midfield option here with Lucas Biglia, this time moving away from France and Ligue 1. Biglia is another player who’s name has been thrown around this transfer window, being linked to top Premier League sides such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Its clear to see why, as the Argentine had a fantastic season with Lazio in Serie A, having an 88% pass accuracy and 78% of his passes being forward, he is another option for defensive midfield, but could easily slot into a more attackive role. As an experienced international player, Lucas Biglia could offer a whole new dimension to the way Liverpool play, by not only defending when necessary and covering the defensive positions, but also by assisting and creating chances, something we haven’t seen since the days Steven Gerrard was at his best.

Likelihood of joining? 6.5/10 – Due to heavy links and interest from Manchester United

#5 Pedro

Pedro was an outsider to Barcelona’s immense treble win last season, and has been heavily linked with a move away from the Catalan giants, with his agent playing a large part in the transfer rumours. Although being linked with Manchester United for some weeks now, there is a large chance Pedro could decide against this move thanks to a few biggies speaking against it - Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov and Jamie Carragher to name a few.

Trying to fit into the front 3 of Messi, Neymar and Suarez is nigh impossible, so Pedro moving to get first team football would do great things for his career. Liverpool could offer him just that, and additionally help them return to Europe’s most illustrious competition.

Scoring 6 goals and creating 25 chances, he could be the perfect man to link up with new men Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke in Liverpool’s potentially deadly attack.

Likelihood of joining? 7.5/10 – Due to the player wanting away from Barcelona