This week the Liverpool Echo conducted a poll which asked Liverpool fans which position of the squad needed strengthening the most.
The overwhelming favourite for ‘Major Rebuild’ was the winger role, with Jordon Ibe the only natural option at present due to Lazar Markovic spending the campaign on loan with Fenerbahce.
Here’s five players either linked to Liverpool already, or ones we think could supplement Jurgen Klopp’s squad in January should he feel the need to follow the fans’ advice and bolster the wide areas.
Leroy Sane
According to sources, Liverpool will ‘go big’ for the young German recently called up to the international squad. He currently plies his trade for Schalke and has burst onto the scene this Bundesliga season – registering five goals and four assists so far. Sane’s a huge talent, but Schalke would be loathe to lose another prodigy with Julien Draxler departing in the summer to Wolfsburg.
Moses Simon
A Nigerian winger called Moses? This would scare many Liverpool fans after Victor’s rather uninspiring season with us, but this younger version, surname Simon, is playing exceptionally in Belgium and has been linked in the Daily Mail. An out and out winger, Moses is only 20 and already starts for his country, but Tottenham are also chasing his services. His pace is devastating, but he worryingly lacks end product right now.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
A potential option on a short-term deal, certainly. Lavezzi won’t cost us much as he’s a free agent in the summer. Due to Angel di Maria’s arrival in Paris, he’s not a regular anymore, and will surely be available – with talkSPORT claiming Juventus are also considering his services. He’s past his best at 30-years-old, but would undoubtedly be able to offer us the pace and direct running we’ve missed on the flanks.
Alex Pato
Pato’s a wing forward. He plays out on the left in a 4-3-3, much like Neymar at Barcelona. Liverpool fans began to scratch their heads last week when news apparently broke that the former wonderkid had signed a deal with us for January, but it’s since been played down. The 26-year-old is tearing up trees for Sao Paulo in his homeland on loan from Corinthians, but the temporary deal ends in the winter. We think Pato would be a very interesting option for us due to his pace, skill and position. He can also play as a quick centre-forward, something we need in Daniel Sturridge’s continual absence through injury.
Sheyi Ojo
As it was with Jordon Ibe, sometimes the answer is right on your doorstep. The 18-year-old is currently on loan with Wolves in the Championship, but having cemented himself as a regular – scoring three goals in the process – he’s done his chances of impressing Jurgen Klopp no harm whatsoever. Last year Ibe shone with Derby and was recalled by Brendan Rodgers – who immediately made him an integral part of the first-team squad – where he still is under Klopp. Ojo’s strong, rapid and hugs the left touchline. An option for a recall, certainly.
