Poor Liverpool.
After such a brilliant season in which they were so close to winning their first league title in 24 years, the Reds are now struggling in mid-table 18 points off league leaders Chelsea. Fans must be wondering where it all went wrong, and how the club can fix their downfall.
Pundits will point to the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona as Liverpool’s biggest mistake, but it must also be taken into account the Reds hierarchy spent £100million worth of new players.
Now with the transfer window reopening next month, manager Brendan Rodger may have to enter the market again to find the missing piece to his Liverpool puzzle.
But could his season-fixing signing arrive from within the English Premier League?
Wilfried Bony
It’s strange after last year’s swashbuckling attack, Liverpool have been struggling to score goals this season. Summer signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have not performed for the Reds, and it may already be time for a change.
Swansea striker Wilfried Bony has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield after his impressive first season with the Welsh side, scoring 25 goals in all competitions last in his first English campaign.
And the Ivorian has continued his form, scoring another 9 goals in 16 appearances.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has already urged his former club to buy Bony this January, and it may be the best move for Brendan Rodgers to fix his underwhelming attack.
Petr Cech
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has not covered himself in glory after a rather indifferent season, succumbing to a few critical errors that cost the Reds some valuable points.
This has forced manager Brendan Rodgers to look for an adequate replacement, and there isn’t one much better available in the market than Petr Cech.
The Chelsea shot-stopper lost his place to a very talented Thibaut Courtois this past summer, but Cech is still one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
Liverpool are already considering a loan move for Cech, and with the Reds not involved in the title race the move could be a win-win situation for manager Jose Mourinho.
Nathaniel Clyne
It’s not often that a club’s fans celebrate after learning of an injury, but that is exactly the chase with Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson.
The England international has come under a lot of stick from the Anfield faithful, and is already expected to leave when his contract ends this summer.
This has put Liverpool’s right-back slot up for grabs, but manager Brendan Rodgers could make a move for talented Southampton ace Nathaniel Clyne to fill Johnson’s shoes.
The Saints defender has been performing consistently at the top level for the past two seasons, finally earning his England call-up this year and will be a brilliant purchase for the Reds.
Christian Benteke
When Christian Benteke returned from injury for Aston Villa, the Midlands side looked like a different outfit suddenly capable of scoring goals.
The big Belgian was the focal point of all Villa’s attack, and could be exactly what Liverpool need if they want to challenge for the fourth Champions League spot.
Benteke is capable of holding up the ball upfront, strong in the air, and a sharp finisher in the six-yard box. He can also supply a delicate pass, something overlooked in Benteke’s game.
If the Reds are unable to purchase priority target Wilfried Bony, then Christian Benteke will definitely be an adequate alternative.
Hugo Lloris
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is up there amongst the best goalkeepers in the league, but the Frenchman is currently unhappy being unable to play in Europe’s elite competition with the London club.
And although Liverpool are far behind, they did achieve it last season and were they able to break into the top four. Lloris could thus consider a switch away from White Hart Lane if the chance of it happening was to reoccur.
Also the national team captain, Lloris would be a considerable upgrade to Simon Mignolet… but with his abilities and reputation will not come cheap with Manchester United also interested if David de Gea was to depart to Real Madrid.
