Most Liverpool fans were pleased with our summer in the transfer window, which closed at 6pm today.
We acquired Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, James Milner, Adam Bogdan, Danny Ings, Allan and Taiwo Awoniyi – but due to the Raheem Sterling sale – our net spend was by no means huge.
By looking at some other deals in the transfer market, there were clearly options and bargains that would have further boosted us.
Do you think we should have moved for any of these five, affordable stars, and would they have been realistic targets?
Virgil van Dyke – signed for Southampton from Celtic
Southampton secured the giant Dutchman for £11.5m (via BBC Sport) this deadline day.
The 24-year-old would have been an affordable improvement on both our current starting centre-halves. He’s exceptionally strong, composed and unfussy – unlike Dejan Lovren.
With our recent record in the transfer market, it wouldn’t be that surprising if we eventually did bid for van Dijk if he shines in the Premier League, due to our attraction towards talented Saints stars!
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Sami Khedira – signed for Juventus from Real Madrid
This one would have surely been a complete no-brainer. The World Cup, Champions League and La Liga winner switched to Italy on a Bosman – during the same window Steven Gerrard left on a free to LA Galaxy.
While James Milner signed for us on a free, bolstering our options by signing Khedira, a genuine defensive midfielder of European pedigree, would have been superb business.
At 28, the German is entering his peak, and would have provided us a more mobile, better passer than Lucas at the base of midfield.
Miranda – signed for Inter Milan from Atletico Madrid
Miranda, aged 30, is the first of two bargain Brazilians included on our list.
He cost Inter Milan £10.6m (via BBC Sport), which for one of La Liga’s best centre-backs of the past three years, is little.
The 30-year-old helped Diego Simeone’s men win the title in 2013/14 and was voted as the league’s best defender. For his country, Miranda starts ahead of Thiago Silva – which is huge praise of his ability.
Dejan Lovren’s performance on Saturday proves we’re still lacking in central defence. While Mamadou Sakho needs another chance to establish himself, there are still doubts about Martin Sktel – seven years after he signed.
Miranda is aerially exceptional, hard and no-nonsense. He’ll be a terrific signing for Inter and should have been considered by us as well.
Luiz Adriano – Signed for AC Milan from Shakhtar
We signed one Brazilian forward this summer in Roberto Firmino, but we could have acquired another for significantly cheaper.
Luiz Adriano, 28, moved to AC Milan on a five-year deal for a measly £6m (via Daily Mail) as his contract in the Ukraine was nearing its expiry date.
He scored nine goals in the Champions League last term and notched 46 in total for Shakhtar over the past two seasons. Already for the Rossoneri he’s found the back of the net twice in three matches, hitting the ground running.
With Daniel Sturridge injured, a £6m punt on Luiz Adriano would have barely been a risk, considering we just got more money than that for Fabio Borini.
His pace and finishing is worth way more than such a figure.
Memphis Depay – Signed for Manchester United from PSV
We were heavily linked to Depay before he completed his move to Old Trafford, and according to Dutch website Voetball International (cited in the Daily Star), the move only broke down because we decided to target a centre-forward as a priority when Daniel Sturridge went under the knife – much to the surprise of the Depay camp.
The report said the young attacker was keen on a move, and Brendan Rodgers’ claims that we were never interested were ‘laughable’.
As it happened, Depay joined our bitter rivals for £25m (via the Telegraph) a fee which is by no means extortionate for a youngster on the back of a Golden Boot and title in Holland.
Unfortunately, he’s clearly an excellent player, having scored twice for United already in a Champions League qualifier and shining in pre-season. His pace, trickery and eye for goal would have undoubtedly boosted us – but now we can only hope United fail to maximise his potential.
