Liverpool are yet to move in the January transfer window, but could they add to their squad on Monday…
Monday is transfer deadline day and Liverpool fans are still waiting for Brendan Rodgers and co to make their first deal of the winter market. With a little over 24 hours remaining, will there be any movement before the window slams shut?
SEE MORE:
LFC news
Liverpool player ratings v West Ham: Coutinho shines with two assists
Liverpool fans react on Twitter to Mario Balotelli being left out of squad
Below, we analyse each area within the Liverpool squad and determine where it could and should be improved:
Goalkeepers
The Current Crop: Simon Mignolet has steadily improved since returning from his spell out of the side. Brad Jones and Danny Ward are not the strongest of back-ups, but the Belgian can’t afford to grow complacent over his spot in the side, even if there is little in the way of competition for his place.
Who’s Been Linked: Neto (Fiorentina), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Conclusion: Earlier in the season, it looked as if Brendan Rodgers would have no option but to buy a keeper in January. Thankfully, the issue has somewhat resolved itself thanks to Mignolet’s welcome turnaround in form. Some decent competition would not go amiss but we’ll likely make do with what we’ve got until the summer.
Full Backs
The Current Crop: Liverpool’s new look 3-4-3 formation has played into the hands of many of our players, particularly Alberto Moreno, who has benefited from being deployed as a wing-back rather than a full-back. Lazar Markovic is currently the favoured option on the right, but is probably not a long term option in that position.
Who’s Been Linked: Martin Montoya (Barcelona)
Conclusion: World class full-backs are notoriously difficult to come across. With Jon Flanagan edging closer to his return from injury and with Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique and Javier Manquillo all available, the position is just not a priority at this point in time – especially with Manquillo and Moreno having only arrived in the summer.
Centre Backs
The Current Crop: Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho have both been excellent over the last couple of months, which leaves just one of the three defensive spots available. Emre Can has done well there but might prefer to be considered as a midfielder. Kolo Toure has also been in good form this season, while Rodgers will still be hoping that Dejan Lovren can turnaround his poor start.
Who’s Been Linked: Winston Reid (West Ham United)
Conclusion: There is plenty of strength in depth for us here, especially with Glen Johnson also able to be deployed as a centre back. Can and Sakho have been a revelation since December while Skrtel has been his usual dominant self. In short, there is no one available that would significantly add to what we already have at this stage.
Central Midfielders
The Current Crop: The Lucas Leiva – Jordan Henderson combination has been working well for us recently, with the Brazilian sitting in front of the back three and allowing the vice captain to operate in the midfield engine room. Their partnership has in turn allowed Steven Gerrard to push forward into a more advanced role.
Who’s Been Linked: Lars Stindl (Hannover), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Gokhan Inler (Napoli)
Conclusion: There is a worrying lack of strength in depth for us in the middle of the park. Joe Allen has struggled while Can has been converted into a centre back. With Gerrard leaving for LA Galaxy and the MLS in the summer, this is an area that needs to be improved in the near future, most likely at the end of the season.
Attacking Midfielders
The Current Crop: Philippe Coutinho is a wonderful talent and has continually impressed here this season. Daniel Sturridge’s return from injury should allow Raheem Sterling to drop back into a more natural position, while Gerrard, Markovic and Adam Lallana prove that there are plenty of options for us here.
Who’s Been Linked: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint Germain)
Conclusion: Liverpool spent big on bolstering our options here in the summer – signing Markovic from Benfica and Lallana from Southampton. Lavezzi has been continually linked with a move to Anfield this month, but it’s hard to see where he’d fit into Rodgers’ plans considering his age and reputation for attitude issues.
Strikers
The Current Crop: Daniel Sturridge’s return surely couldn’t come soon enough for Rodgers. The 25-year-old took just 12 minutes to score on his return to the team and suddenly the outlook here is looking a lot more positive. Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have both struggled for goals, while Mario Balotelli remains a major concern.
Who’s Been Linked: Danny Ings (Burnley), Divock Origi (Lille, end of loan)
Conclusion: Sturridge needs help, and while Sterling has done a commendable job as a make-shift striker we need more readily available back-up for the England duo. If there is an area that we are going to improve on tomorrow, this will be it. There are options available, but will Rodgers take a risk on another forward or will he wait until the summer, when Lambert, Borini and Balotelli might all be sold.
