Five ‘£20m’ wingers Liverpool should consider this January

Posted by

Liverpool have a reported transfer budget of £20m this January say the Telegraph, and if any fans were asked right now about our priority position – it’d be an attacking, goalscoring winger.

Not once in our history have we scored less league goals after 20 games of a campaign than this term, which is a shoddy, embarrassing record.

Unfortunately, goalscoring inside forwards come at a real premium, and we may have to be inventive and smart with any potential purchases this January.

Here’s five we reckon could be acquired within our budget.

SEE MORE:
Liverpool’s January transfer budget & key targets named by Telegraph

Filip Kostic – Stuttgart 

There’s a feeling that Kostic is really maximising his potential this season with Stuttgart. He’s only scored once and assisted two but his overall performances have been excellent. Only seven players in the Bundesliga have created more chances so far this term, with Kostic a real handful due to his pace and power. The Telegraph claim he’s a genuine target, too. On the other hand – we have a 22-year-old Serbian winger with plenty of talent already on our books in Lazar Markovic – so if we’re desperate – perhaps we should consider paying the loan termination fee.

Andriy Yarmolenko – Dynamo Kiev

Somehow, Yarmolenko is still playing in Ukraine. We let his countryman Yevhen Konoplyanka join Sevilla in the summer, and the success of that particular 26-year-old in Spain suggests we should maybe not let another one go. Yarmolenko plays on the right wing and likes to cut infield on his left and shoot – but he enjoys starting on the touchline in wide positions unlike most of our current attacking midfielders. This term, Yarmolenko’s notched eight goals in 15 league starts and two more in the Champions League – fantastic stats for a winger.

Jese Rodriguez – Real Madrid

Very talented but isn’t currently getting a sniff at Real Madrid due to the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him in the pecking order. At 22-years-old he has the ability and potential to develop into a player worth far more than the amount we’d likely have to pay for him. He’s been linked via Spanish source Don Balon (cited here in the Mirror), who claim he’s disgruntled at the lack of playing time Rafa Benitez has given him this term. Rodriguez is quick and likes scoring goals. If he’s available, he’d be the perfect risk this January for us.

Karim Bellarabi – Bayer Leverkusen

Bellarabi is 25-years-old and fits Klopp’s bill perfectly in that he dribbles, has pace and is a huge threat on the counter-attack. He starts out on the right and cuts in, but is happy to reach the byline and put in crosses as well. The German international’s won ten caps for the World Cup winners and is a regular in Joachim Lowe’s squad. He’s not a regular scorer but has notched four so far this term in the Bundesliga and German Cup.

Yacine Brahimi – FC Porto

Perhaps a little ambitious for us to include this 25-year-old Algerian considering he plays for FC Porto, who traditionally charge big bucks for their better players. Brahimi starts out on the left and cuts in on his right, as per the typical modern right-footed winger. He’s rapid, skilful and always wants the balls. Most importantly, his goal:game ratio is better than 1 in 4, meaning he should hit double figures every season if he stays fit. Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked to Brahimi in the past, and he’s probably due a Premier League move soon – especially considering how brilliantly his international team-mate Riyad Mahrez is doing right now.

More Stories Andriy Yarmolenko Filip Kostic Jese Rodriguez Karim Bellarabi Yacine Brahimi