Liverpool spent big this summer on seven new players – Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan. However, as always, some people have been left wanting more – from that one extra player to the wholly unrealistic marquee buy.
So much so, that the Liverpool Echo decided to run a poll, allowing supporters to vote on who else they would’ve liked us to sign. In the list below, we count down the top ten…
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10) Geoffrey Kondogbia
Liverpool’s midfield looked a little short following the departure of Steven Gerrard, and one of the names suggested during the early part of the window was that of this Monaco youngster, who had impressed in his side’s run to the last eight of the Champions League last year – even scoring against Arsenal. However, he eventually joined Inter Milan instead, while the Reds went for James Milner.
9) John Stones
Many Liverpool fans have bemoaned the fact that we haven’t signed a new centre-back this summer. Interestingly, the most popular name suggested by the supporters to fill that role was that of this Everton and England youngster. In reality, Stone became a target for Chelsea, and our Merseyside neighbours had to battle right down to deadline day to make sure that they kept hold of their main man.
8) Luis Suarez
Some supporters will always live in the past and remind you that the players of their era were far better than those that wear the same colours today. Of course, in this example, we’re not going quite as far back – although it’s equally understandable to think of our fellow Liverpool fans praying for Suarez’s return. The mercurial Uruguayan scored goal after goal for us and is still sorely missed.
7) Asier Illarramendi
This was a name that came up a lot during the second-half of the transfer window. With Lucas Leiva having seemingly been banished from the first-team, our need for a new defensive midfielder appeared to be at breaking point. However, Rodgers ultimately had a change of heart and decided to bring the Brazilian out from the cold instead – with Illarramendi joining former club Real Sociedad as a result.
6) Mateo Kovacic
This was probably the most frequently reported name in the Liverpool gossip columns – despite the fact that there was seemingly never any interest there. Surprisingly, the Croatian moved from Inter Milan to Real Madrid shortly before the transfer window closed – allowing Illarramendi, then even further down the pecking order, to move on. It was a saga that didn’t involve Liverpool in any way, and yet we were left feeling disappointed.
5) Victor Wanyama
This one was a little from left field – although we do love signing any Southampton player that we can get our hands on. The combative anchor man would have arguably been the missing ingredient for our midfield, as we muddle by without an out-and-out defensive midfielder. As it was, the Kenyan came close to joining Tottenham, but the Saints held their ground and kept hold of their player.
4) Lionel Messi
Yeah… moving on.
3) Pedro
The Barcelona winger was linked with a variety of English clubs during the summer transfer window – including Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as Liverpool – but it was Jose Mourinho who eventually got his man. The Spaniard was left frustrated at the Camp Nou, having been dropped to the bench following the arrivals of Neymar and Suarez, and his patience finally ran out this summer.
2) Alexandre Lacazette
How many times did we hear about this one? The Frenchman teased us for so long before eventually signing a new contract and, ironically, his form since then has been dramatically worse. The 24-year-old, who scored 31 goals in all competitions last season, has failed to find the net in four appearances so far this term. Perhaps we were better off signing Benteke after all.
1) Marco Reus
Most sensible Liverpool fans will be rolling their eyes at this one – was there ever any chance that it was actually going to happen? The 26-year-old has reiterated his commitment to Dortmund on multiple occasions and never looked likely to move on this summer, despite interest from far and wide, and he’s started this season in fine form – helping Dortmund make a far more Dortmund-like start to the season, leaving them top of the Bundesliga.
