Liverpool FC’s recent problems have led the Anfield faithfuls to call for fresh investment in the squad. As the January transfer windows draws nearer, there is no doubt that Liverpool FC will be looking to spend money. However, there are five names they must look closely to snap up as free transfer for the summer as their contract runs down.
The Reds’ much maligned transfer committee has been on the forefront of the blame attached by the Reds’ fan for the poor performances of the side in the recent past.
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With the Bosman transfer window opening up the chance for the Merseysiders to sign some top players on free, we look at the five best options available.
1 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Reds’ struggle for a top quality forward has been well documented since the loss of Luis Suarez and the injury to Daniel Sturridge over the last couple of season rendering them without a reliable goalscorer up front. While Christian Beneteke has been snapped up on a 32.5m GBP deal and Danny Ings on a free transfer, the injury to the later and the fact that Benteke is hardly a top forward means there is still room for a quality attacker in the XI.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has his contract expiring by the end of the season at PSG. While he is not getting any younger, the Swede will bring a lot of quality as well as experience, alongside leadership at Anfield. One of the first thing that Jurgen Klopp spoke about following his first few games in charge was the inability of the Reds’s squad to hold their nerves in dying minutes. If there is one man in world football famed for his ability to have nerves of steel, its the big Swede.
The Liverpool FC squad could do with his leadership and the larger than life character, given the absence of both types of character at Anfield.
2 – Ezequiel Lavezzi
Another man who will fit in nicely in the system at Anfield and the requirement too, would be PSG and Argentina international Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Lavezzi’s work rate and pace, as well as his never-say-die attitude, will fit in nicely in Jurgen Klopp’s philosophy. Much like Ibrahimovic, the problem that would face the Reds in their pursuit of Lavezzi would be his wage demands.
3 – Alvaro Arbeloa
Arbeloa had a fantastic first spell at Anfield, when he was first snapped up by Rafael Benitez from Deportivo La Coruna. The spell at Anfield earned him a dream move to his boyhood club Real Madrid. While he did play his part early on in his Madrid days on a more regular basis, the Spanish fullback has fallen out of favor in recent years, first to Carvajal and then to Danilo.
With the Reds having no backup to Alberto Moreno for the left-back position, the versatile Arbeloa’s Premier League experience as well as the calmness with which he plays in the defence will be of a lot of use at Liverpool FC.
4 – Miguel Veloso
With Lucas Leiva showing more and more signs of his injury problems slowing him down, Liverpool FC are in need to reinforcing their midfield with a defensive minded player who can also pass the ball.
The Portuguese international, currently plying his trade with Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine could be a good transfer if the Reds are able to match his salary requirements.
Veloso was one of the most sought after youngster in Europe at one time, but, curiously chose to go to Ukraine. With his contract now up, he won’t mind a move to one of the best leagues in the world.
5 – Samir Handanovi
With Mignolet and Bogdan both proving in recent times how unreliable they can be, there is plenty of space at Anfield for both, the first and the second goalkeeper slot.
Samir Handanovi , the Serbian international playing in Serie A with Inter Milan could be one of the options to help address the stopper problems at Anfield,
While he is hardly a top goalkeeper, Handanovi can be world-class in bits and pieces. With Mignolet and Bogdan hardly setting very high standards, it will not be a problem for Handovic to better them.