For most of the summer we were fed the usual stream of rumours by the press. Links to a whole host of exciting and renown players were made, creating glimmers of tentative hope that maybe, just maybe, there may be a possible move to Anfield on the cards for one of the big names. Bar the Luis Suarez fiasco, there wasn’t much else spoken about other than the big name Brendan and his time would try to bring in to his 4-2-3-1 formation.
It began with Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian wonder played for Shahktar and was in stellar form, and LFC would be a true step up from the Ukrainian League IMO, so he wasn’t an unrealistic targets. He had goals, pace, trickery, intelligence and was not yet a superstar. All the makings of a perfect marquee signing, but alas it was not to be and he’s found himself at Dortmund. Having kicked off the campaign with 4 goals and an assist from his first 9 games, LFC will be even more bitter that they missed out, as he would have excelled in our midfield I think, adding the potent goal threat from midfield we desperately miss.
After the links with Henrikh were squandered, he was followed by one Diego Costa, of Athletico Madrid. Known to have a short temperament and a tendency to dive, he already had similarities to our own Luis Suarez. However, I do feel that for the most part of his game time he’s hard working and a very, very talented player. With all the strength, speed and guile to play in the Premier League he would have been another perfect signing. He ended up staying Athletico and is in a rich vein of form having taken over from Falcao with Villa as the man to lead the line. Being top in La Liga goal scoring charts with 10 goals in 8 games, Costa, Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho could have proved a title winning attack.
Lastly we were linked with a move for Anzhi’s Willian. The fleet footed uncapped Brazilian was in my opinion a transfer that came up by chance. Pre the Anzhi fire sale I don’t think we would have gone in for him, but he was a player that Rogers himself would have been ‘perfect’ in football terms of the player we’re looking for. Playing previously for Shaktar too, he impressed in his outings, especially in Europe. However, I don’t think missing out on him was as big as the others, as he seems to be quite the mercenary going from us, to Spurs to Chelsea. Plus, 30 million for a player who’s not proven himself in a major league would definitely have been a gamble.
So with the summer done, and Sahko labelled our marquee signing (and rightly so as he was a real coup, he just wasn’t what we’d hoped for), we must look on to January and next summer for who’ll be on the way to Anfield. We know that Rodgers is still after that left/right sided attacking player, to allow Coutinho central and Suarez the other side, so that’s the type of player I think we will go for soon. Now based on current form and my hopes for this half of the season, I think we’ll see LFC in and around the top four come January, which can lead us to attract some top talent and finally some big names. Here is a few players, that although might be a tad optimistic, would really help Liverpool push on. I’m not saying these are the players or the positions we need to fill most, just suggesting who could have an Özil-esque effect upon the side.
Juan Mata
The Chelsea man is probably the player we’d most struggle to obtain. Chelsea’s player of the year for two years and probably the Prem’s most consistent performer for those two too, he is an outstanding talent. Able to play centrally, out left and on the right if needed Mata would fit in perfectly anywhere in our attacking line. Pushed to the sidelines by Mourinho, Mata is clearly a player who deserves to play every week and will be disheartened not to be. He would definitely get that at Liverpool, the fans would thoroughly adore him and he would have the faith of the manager to perform. As long as we’re in a challenging position by then and Mourinho’s not had another change of heart, Juan Mata could end up a possibility. Chances are he’ll come at a cost, but a proven, Champions League experienced, relatively young, extremely talented player is bound to. So I wouldn’t say 35-45 million would be too unreasonable, if we could convince him to come. Linking up the play with Coutinho to Suarez and Sturridge, our attack would truly be a force to be reckoned with.
Hulk
The Brazilian forward is recognised as one of the most capable forwards in the world. At 26 he’s still young, blessed with pace, strength and talent in bundles, he would be an astute signing should we pull it off. Playing for Russian side Zenit, Hulk could finally fancy a test at the Premier League. He can provide cover as a striker or on the left wing, but is predominantly a right sided player. All this would mean is playing Suarez on the left, which he excelled in doing for his country so that wouldn’t be a problem.
Jackson Martinez
The third man in my compilation is the Colombian forward. Currently playing for Porto, he is banging in he goals. Although predominantly a striker, he is equally able on the wing and with Rogers ideology that the front three are interchangeable, this wouldn’t be a problem. He has a height advantage, is quick and has a real knack for scoring goals. Evident last season and even more so now with 8 goals in 9 games, Martinez would certainly add goals to the attack. Another player with a hefty price tag of around 35 million, but having only turned 27 a couple of weeks ago and in his current form, he would be another good buy for LFC.
Arda Turan
The Athletico Madrid playmaker is quality, left sided attacking player that Rogers could – and supposedly is – looking at. Helping create and assist a lot of Athletico’s goals in the League and especially the cup last season, his creativity on the ball would be invaluable for likes of Suarez and Sturridge to feed off – just look at Diego Costa. A life long LFC Fan, even being pictured in an LFC top, if we’re doing well I don’t think we’ll have any trouble convincing the Turk to join us. One if the cheaper of the options at around £20million, Turan’s purchase would leave plenty of funds for other players whilst still bringing us an exceptional footballer.
So, currently sitting happily in the top for, with the best start since Rafa, which big name would you like to see pull on the red shirt? With Grobbelar himself even stating that a big named star was on their way to Anfield, who would you like it to be and why?
Let me know on twitter @SamGreet123.