This is speculative to the maximum, but we’re pretty sure at least a few of these players mooted here will be signed or sold when the transfer window opens shortly…
Following our sixth placed Premier League finish and European nightmare, we can’t afford to make the same mistakes in the transfer window – and need to recruit and offload perfectly if we’re to stand a chance of making up for this year’s disappointment.
Here’s what we’d love to see – and while ambitious, it’s by no means impossible.
Out:
Brad Jones
The Australian keeper’s contract is not being renewed, and he’ll need to be replaced – preferably by somebody who’ll provide Simon Mignolet with real competition for the starting goalkeeping spot.
In:
Rui Patricio
Brazilian keeper Neto has finalised his move to Juventus, meaning we could instead move for the consistently linked Portuguese. The Sporting Lisbon stopper would push Mignolet all the way, which is what’s needed next term. Provided he doesn’t cost too much, of course.
Out:
Glen Johnson
His contract’s up, and it’s not being renewed… We’ll wish Johnson well, but we doubt he’ll be too heavily missed after a pretty shocking season form wise.
In:
Martin Montoya
The young Spaniard doesn’t get the chances his talent deserves at Barcelona, and with Jon Flanagan still out for the foreseeable future, we badly need right-back reinforcements.
Out:
Steven Gerrard
Rightly or wrongly, Gerrard’s leaving for MLS – and while we might not love it, we need to deal with it – and work tirelessly to appropriately replace him.
In:
Arturo Vidal & James Milner
Vidal’s been heavily linked to both us and Arsenal, and if we can get him for the mooted £25m, it’d be an absolutely superb piece of business – especially considering the fact we can get Milner on a free to add further central midfield support and versatility on either flank. If Vidal proves unattainable, a move for Roma’s Miralem Pjanic would be pretty exciting.
Out:
Fabio Borini
The Italian isn’t clinical enough, and doesn’t possess the match-winning talent we need from our strikers. It’s time for Borini to head back to Italy.
In:
Danny Ings
A no-brainer considering he’s free, and an upgrade on Borini – especially in terms of his finishing. Ings would be happy to play as a substitute, which is probably all he’d be. A decent squad option especially considering Daniel Sturridge’s injuries.
Out:
Mario Balotelli
The Balotelli experiment simply hasn’t worked. He’s scored one Premier League goal, and Rodgers has clearly given up on him – basically refusing to use him. For his and our good, the striker should head to a smaller team where he can try to rebuild his career.
In:
Christian Benteke
Benteke’s the forward being most heavily linked with an Anfield switch this summer… For the rumoured £20m, we’d take him – as there are realistically not many top class strikers who’d arrive without Champions League football. The Belgian is powerful, and actually provides more of an option in behind than you’d think.
Out:
Raheem Sterling
Sterling simply doesn’t want to be with us anymore, and more than anything – that should prompt us to sell. It’s not like his performances have warranted such an over-inflated sense of self importance, and his potentially enormous transfer fee would enable us to fix problem areas.
In:
Theo Walcott
Walcott would provide the perfect Sterling replacement. He’s a Liverpool fan and would love to represent us, while he has Sterling’s pace in abundance. Walcott’s technically worse – but a much better finisher, and right now has better end product.
Out:
Rickie Lambert
Lambert gave his all for us this season just gone, but sadly it wasn’t anywhere near good enough. We wouldn’t be too disappointed to see him stay, but if we can use him as part of the bid to bring Benteke in – we should consider it.
In:
Divock Origi
Origi is arriving from his loan spell at Lille after we signed him last summer. Like Ings, he’d be back-up to Daniel Sturridge and Benteke – but at the age of 20, he’d be happy with this role for now. Let’s hope he can maximise his exceptional talent.
