Liverpool Transfers: 5 Blockbuster Signings Brendan Rodgers Could Still Make                

 

As the deadline day for this summer’s transfer window fast approaches, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers can look back with very few regrets.
The Northern Irishman has been one of the more active Premier League bosses, buying in five new recruits in Aly Cissokho, Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and Kolo Toure.
And while these players will doubtlessly improve Liverpool’s strength in depth over the course of what promises to be another arduous campaign, none of them can really be considered “marquee signings”.
Last month, Rodgers admitted that he was targeting “a higher calibre of player” in order to challenge for that ever-elusive top four spot.
But, despite being linked with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Willian, the Merseysiders have thus far been unsuccessful in landing a really notable target.
While some might say buying a “marquee signing” is no longer compulsory considering Luis Suarez is staying, others point out Liverpool’s 7th placed finish last season and continued lack of European football.
Meanwhile, the Red’s top 4 rivals Tottenham have been busy strengthening, buying in the likes of Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela, while the usual suspects Chelsea and Manchester City have also been splashing the cash.
There’s a danger Liverpool could be left behind again this summer, unless they land a blockbuster signing before next Monday, and here’s five we had in mind.

5. Mamadou Sakho

Liverpool thought they had solved their centre-back problems this summer with the purchase on a free transfer of Kolo Toure from Manchester City in the wake of stalwart Jamie Carragher’s retirement.
However, the Ivorian was stretchered off in Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup tie with Notts County and is out for an indeterminate period of time with a groin injury.
Meanwhile, fellow centre-back Sebastián Coates is also out with a knee injury which all leaves Brendan Rodgers a bit light at the back.
And one player he could bring in to fill the gaps is Paris Saint-Germain’s Mamadou Sakho.
The France international won Ligue 1 with PSG last season and is experienced in that he has been capped 14 times by France despite only being 23.
Liverpool are likely to make a move for the centre-half before next Monday and need a confident, solid defender if they are to avoid undoing much of their attacking intent going forward.

4. Toby Alderweireld

In reality, Liverpool probably need two new centre-backs this summer given their aforementioned injury problems.
Sebastián Coates is never going to be first-choice, Daniel Agger is wanted by Barcelona and Martin Skrtel has fallen down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers recently, making just 25 Premier League appearances last season and none so far this term.
And another centre-half he could bring in to bolster his back-line is Ajax’s highly-rated Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgium star is into the final year of his contract at the Amsterdam Arena and is set to become available for a basement fee of £6 million.
Alderweireld has won three-successive Eredivisie championships with Ajax and has 24 caps for Belgium. He can also play at right-back, too, which would give Rodgers even more options at the back.

3. Alexis Sanchez

After missing out on attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer, with the Armenian opting to join Borussia Dortmund instead, Brendan Rodgers is still keen to bolster his offensive options this summer.
The future of Luis Suarez is secured – for now – but the Reds were often over-reliant on the Uruguayan’s goals last season and Rodgers will be hoping his midfield can chip in a bit more.
Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez would be a terrific signing.
The Chilean can play as a winger or as a forward, making him a great alternative to Mkhitaryan and an excellent replacement for Stewart Downing, who recently left for West Ham.
Barca recently claimed Sanchez isn’t for sale, but the truth is, they don’t need him.
The Spanish giants have just recently signed Neymar from Santos, whose arrival at the Nou Camp will severely restrict Sanchez’s playing time, with the former Udinese man starting only 24.1% of Barca’s games last season.
The Spanish champions could therefore be interested in selling should they receive an acceptable bid.

2. Christian Eriksen

Liverpool are in danger of missing out on the Ajax playmaker this summer unless they pull their finger out.
Eriksen has been on the Red’s radar for much of the summer and a move away from Amsterdam looks certain given that the midfielder has entered the final year of his contract and is showing no signs that he is prepared to pen a renewal.
His contractual situation has alerted Tottenham, who have apparently been given permission to talk to the star.
However, the Londoners aren’t willing to pay Ajax’s £12 million asking price and have only offered £8 million for the 21-year-old sensation.
And that could leave the door open for Liverpool to make a rival bid.
Eriksen is considered one of the brightest young talents in European football having won three consecutive Eredivisie titles with Ajax, and picking up 37 senior caps for Denmark already.
He could be the long-term successor to Steven Gerrard, but only if Liverpool renew their interest.

1. Burak Yilmaz

Even though Luis Suarez’s immediate future looks to be at Anfield, it’s fairly safe to say that he isn’t going to be there for the long-haul due to his ambitions to play for a Champions League club, and could be subjected to further bids from rival clubs in the next two transfer windows.
Now then would be as good a time as any for manager Brendan Rodgers to star planning for a replacement and a future without the Uruguayan goal-machine.
And one option there is Galatasaray’s prolific striker Burak Yilmaz, who has been tearing the Turkish Süper Lig to shreds for the last two seasons.
The Turkey international scored 33 times in 34 appearances in his final season at Trabzonspor before moving to Gala last summer, where he netted 24 times in 30 outings at his new club last season.
And the 28-year-old has already bagged two goals in two appearances for the new campaign, as well, signalling that he is set for another goal-laden season.
Liverpool need to go all-out to buy Yilmaz this summer, and would have as good a chance as ever before of cracking the top four with him leading the line up front, with Daniel Sturridge and (for now) Suarez in support.
Do you think Brendan Rodgers will make a blockbuster signing before the transfer window shuts, or are you happy with the current team?

Read more at http://whatculture.com/sport/liverpool-transfers-5-blockbuster-signings-brendan-rodgers-could-still-make.php/6#1khbxod7mWbqZDqw.99