With out further a duet I bring you my summer shopping list for Liverpool Football Club. Liverpool have a new manager in the shape of Brenden Rodgers. A patron of pretty football, played on the ground, with good movement and passing as the backbone of his philosophy. It will be his goal to find players that fit this mold, and implement them into the current squad. Some players have already moved on, most notably and most aggrieving, Dirk Kuyt who has moved to Turkey. The long time Liverpool servent was unparalleled in his work rate and industry, and will be missed by moi.
Liverpool's lynch pins for next season will be Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard (though sat in a deeper position), Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, and to a certain extent Andy Carroll, though linked with AC Milan...."chuckles." Quality is needed and I would like these new signings not to just provide support but to steal the headlines. Unfortunantly poor results last season makes it harder to attrack the talent that will grace the front pages, unless Rodger's system is eye catching in its self, and such stars by into it the systems philosophy. The Reds have already missed out on Icelander Gylfi Sigurdsson, who played under Rodgers at Swansea, choosing to join Tottenham Hotspur for the reason that " The London club is going places," he told the Daily Mail.
Before I get to my wish list I want to touch on the fact that Liverpool have a couple talents that will be returning to the club after loan deals. Joe Cole out on loan with French side Lille has hopefully done his soul searching abroad, now ready to return to Merseyside, refreshed, renewed and on form. A creative force is what Liverpool needs in midfield and the silky touch and vision of Cole could just be what's needed. He is now back training with the Reds ahead of next season. Alberto Aquilani, once known as"The Little Prince," in Rome, now has the demoted tag of "The Habitual Injury Victim," Slick huh? He makes his return to Merseyside as well, guessing a long with everyone whether he'll be in the plans for the upcoming season. Unless Rodgers intends to sell either Cole or Aquilani, the Northern Irishman might as well give them ago, and hope and pray they can plug a few gaps needing to be filled.
If the aforementioned don't pan out, a possibility not by any stretch of the imagination, Liverpool needs an attacking creative midfielder, winger and a central defender. Here's a few that would work:
1.) Clint Dempsey- Fulham
It's no secret that the rumor tabloids have been boasting a link between the American and Liverpool, as reports of a 6 million pound move has been made. Dempsey has one year left on his contract and refused a new one last April. Tied for the fourth top-scorer in the Premier League last year, Dempsey is creative, versatile and has a nose for the net. A player who would give Liverpool what they missed last season, drive and creativity, Oh and goals. The American link between owner John Henry and Fenway Sports Group is another element that could help persuaded Dempsey of a move. Landon Donovan is still seen as the best American Soccer player currently, but those who watch the Premier League know that Dempsey is more talented and competing at a higher level. Having an American Soccer star like Dempsey on a American owned team could see Liverpool develop a more depthful fan base in the United States. A situation not dissimilar to AS Roma's American owner going after Michael Bradley. Dempsey is also a proven Premier League player, and that's what Liverpool needs right now.
2.) Adam Johnson- Manchester City
The silky winger has had more than a difficult time getting into Man City's first team, though netting six times in 26 League games for City. Rumor is that Liverpool are plotting a 16 million pound move for the winger, which is inflated English player prices, yet compared to the 20 million pound payout for Stewart Downing, it looks like a snip. Like Downing, Johnson has a deadly left foot, which is showcased by cutting in from the right side. Johnson is direct and takes his opponent with quick, tricky play. He's not bad defensively when I have seen him, more than able and willing to track back when necessary. Prying the winger from City wouldn't be difficult, as his chances have been limited and at Liverpool he'd be a shoo-in to start. On road-block might be that Sunderland is also rumored to have it in for his services.
3.) Mamadou Sakho- Paris Saint Germain
He has stated that he would leave club side PSG If they where to sign another defender. The 22 year old, 6 foot 2 Senegalese defender found it hard to get into PSG's starting line-up after Ancelotti took over as manager. Due to the riches at the club, the higher-ups seem to be opting for the expensive imports rather than the young talent, spurning his interest to possibly move on. Liverpool's central defensive pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel was solid last season, and I would render a guess that will be the preferred pairing for next season. That said the back up behind those two looks thin. Jamie Carragher has lost a step in pace, and Sebastian Coates still is finding his bearings since moving to the club last summer. Sakho is young, yet experienced having made his debut for PSG at age 17.
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