Liverpool Transfer Rumors: 10 Realistic Replacements for Andy Carroll

Damien Comolli once said: 

A guy might have big talent, but might not want to work hard. I lose sleep about this on a regular basis. When you first identify the targets, you look at the character, of course. 

What talent does Andy Carroll have?

He has no pace, no vision, no dribbling ability and evidently isn't a good finisher. 

I guess Liverpool management overlooked the character part when they evaluated Carroll. 

He has consistently found himself on the wrong side of the law by various means: assaulting his ex-girlfriend, assaulting another woman and glassing a person. 

He doesn't just abuse people, he also abuses his liver to the extent that Fabio Capello told the world about it. 

Here are 10 realistic replacements for Carroll. 

Rangers: Nikica Jelavić

According to his father, Nikica Jelavić is 'most likely' to sign for Liverpool. 

With 17 goals in 28 games this season, he's an upgrade from Andy Carroll.

Heerenveen: Bas Dost

Bas Dost has scored 16 goals in 18 Eredivisie games. 

At 6'5", he would have no issues transitioning into a more physical league like the Premier League. 

Still, you always need to take forwards who score a ton of goals in weaker leagues with a grain of salt. 

Former Heerenveen forward Afonso Alves scored goals for fun in the Eredivisie, but struggled to replicate that form for Middlesbrough. 

Sporting Lisbon: Ricky Van Wolfswinkel

Sporting Lisbon signed Ricky van Wolfswinkel for just £4.5 million and potentially can sell him for £12-15 million. 

Wolfswinkel was ambitious to move to Lisbon because he could have played it safe by staying at Utrecht. 

Last year, I watched him play solidly against Lazio's centre-backs André Dias and Mobido Diakité. At the time, Dias was having a good season, and Diakité is a physical specimen. 

Wolfswinkel is clearly a better player than Andy Carroll, yet somehow the Englishman is worth £30.5 million more. 

Groningen: David Texeira

Ronald Koeman, Arjen Robben, and Luis Suárez.

These three players were all given their first taste of European football by Groningen. 

Not bad for a small club. 

David Texeira could be the next notable former player from Groningen because he is finding the back of the net with regularity. 

Liverpool should take the initiative and sign Texeira before he makes it big. 

With the help of compatriots Suárez and Sebastián Coates, Texeira's transition to life in England will be made easier. 

Lille: Moussa Sow

Another missed opportunity. 

According to Goal.com, Fenerbahçe have reached an agreement with Lille to sign Moussa Sow for £10.9 million. 

He has pace, he holds the ball up well and he can find the back of the net with ease. 

Sevilla: Álvaro Negredo

By signing Álvaro Negredo, the burden of leading the line would be taken off Luis Suárez, allowing the Uruguayan to prosper.

At the same time, Negredo won't be lost on the field like Andy Carroll, because the Spaniard will be helpful instead of being a hindrance to Suárez.

Newcastle United: Demba Ba

Harry Redknapp has stated Demba Ba's release clause is less than £7 million. 

£7 million would be worth the risk on Ba, provided he only signs a two-year contract. 

Now, Ba may want a longer contract to ensure stability, whereas Liverpool will be mindful of the Senegalese international's failed medical at Stoke City. 

Valencia: Roberto Soldado

This season, Roberto Soldado scores a goal every 3.4 shots, compared to Andy Carroll's 14.6 shots per goal. 

Soldado's contract ends in two years time and, provided he doesn't sign a contract extension anytime soon, it would be smart if Liverpool made a move for him in the summer. 

That being said, smart isn't a word I'd use to describe Liverpool management, so £20-25 million is a fair transfer fee for Soldado right now. 

PSV Eindhoven: Tim Matavž

I stumbled across Tim Matavž because I was watching PSV Eindhoven's game against Rapid Bucureşti due to the hyped Georginio Wijnaldum and Zakaria Labyad. 

Interestingly, Matavž played for Groningen, so there's the Groningen connection again. 

He certainly has good football IQ, as I've seen bypass offside traps with ease. 

He had a breakout 2011, scoring 24 goals. 

Schalke: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

The safest and most realistic transfer target would be Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. 

You may be worried that he didn't last at Real Madrid or A.C. Milan, but here's what you need to know: in 13 starts for Real Madrid, he scored eight goals. 

At Milan, he was thrown in one week, and thrown out the next week. 

Huntelaar is a forward that needs to play week in, week out.

When he does, he scores, like 26 goals in 27 games this season for Schalke. 

His partnership with Luis Suárez would be rekindled in an instant because they combined for 95 goals in two seasons. 

Find out which Premier League club rejected Zinedine Zidane. 

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