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It has been a season full of disappointments for Liverpool. Premier League silver medalists of last season, the Reds failed to reproduce the magic of last term despite forking out over a £100 million in the market and have fallen well off the pace in the race for the league crown. Also with Steven Gerrard lounging off the coast to the States this summer and the likes of Glen Johnson and Raheem Sterling most likely to follow him through the exit door, the Merseysiders are set to undergo a change.
In the interest of restoring lost pride, manager Brendan Rodgers has quite some decisions to make in the upcoming transfer window. With the rumour mill rife with links to the club, we take a look at 5 players whom the Reds should realistically target.
1.Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Last season, Liverpool pillaged not one, not two, but three players away from Southampton – Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren and this summer, they might come back to haunt the Saints in pursuit of their another star in Morgan Schneiderlin. The Frenchman is one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League and is set to depart Hampshire this summer.
One of the major reasons for Liverpool’s torrid campaign was how feebly they conceded goals. The defence was profligate and moreover, had no defensive midfielder to shield them. In Schneiderlin, they may have just found that man.
Schneiderlin would adapt to Liverpool’s system in numerous ways, given his comfort in playing in a midfield 2 or 3. His penchant to drop deep when needed, keep possession or even make tackles only makes him a necessity to Liverpool. The 25-year old has all the necessary tools to fill in for Gerrard and can prove to be invaluable in their quest to challenge for the title.
2.Nebil Fekir (Lyon)
Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette is hogging the limelight and tops the wishlist of some big guns of Europe such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, so chances of him moving to Liverpool, who are also said to be his admirers, looks bleak. However, they can also be contended by snapping up his partner-in-crime Nebil Fekir, who has also managed to grab some eyeballs.
Having made his senior debut just 2 summers ago, the Frenchman has come of age this season after a mediocre debut campaign with Les Gones. In 34 league appearances this season, Fekir has accrued 13 goals and 9 assists and his ferocious partnership with Lacazette has fired Lyon back into the Champions League.
His nifty dribbles, impeccable set-pieces, excellent ball retention and effervesence in the attack makes him a complete package and could turn out to be a promising signing.
3.Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
For all the Sturm and Drang that Inter Milan have braved this season, Mauro Icardi has been their brightest spot all long. The Argentinian wizard had yet another wonderful season, scoring 20 times in 35 Serie A games coupled with 4 assists.
Earlier in the season, Icardi spurred Liverpool’s interest when he went on to divulge his elation on being linked with Liverpool saying, “If the rumours about Liverpool are real, I would be honoured, because they are a big club”. This might just provide the impetus for the Merseysiders to launch a bid.
Pure and lethal finisher, Icardi is one of the finest players in Serie A and can be a vital addition to the Reds’ attack. Aged just 22, the former Sampdoria man has the potential to develop into a truly world-class talent at Liverpool.
4.Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim)
With the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid set to be locked in a race to sign Hoffenheim striker Kevin Volland, Liverpool have turned their attention towards another player from the Upper Rhine outfit – Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian has seen a significant ascent in his stock this season and was key to his side’s top half finish in the league.
Prolific dribbler and a great distributor of the ball, Firmino comes as an upgrade to the potentially outgoing attacking midfielder Raheem Sterling and has the capability to dovetail in any of Rodgers’ formations. Moreover with Liverpool qualifying for the Europa League next season, he gets a chance to play in Europe, something which Hoffenheim cannot offer.
With a market value touted to be around £25 million, Liverpool must tie him up without much ado.
5.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
The Gabon international is purportedly scouted by the Reds, who are looking to clench him after losing Memphis Depay to rivals Manchester United. Signed from Ligue 1 outfit St.Etienne in 2013 for £9.5 million, Aubameyang has impressed greatly with the Ruhr valley side and has been a perennial figure in Klopp’s attack.
With a meteoric pace and great versatility in the final third, the 26-year old can be an ideal acquisition for the Reds should they revert back to their 3-pronged attack. The Kopites are in dire need of a talisman upfront and given Aubameyang’s 17% conversion rate this season (more than any Liverpool player this term) and an average of 3.1 shots per game, they may have just found out the panacea to all their attacking woes.
With a market value estimated to be around £15million, the Reds should really go for it.
