Liverpool Influencers Pick Their Ideal Premier League Swap Deal

Swap deals are something normally talked about on playgrounds rather than in the Premier League.

Still, they are occasionally rumoured in the press. In June, David Woods of the Daily Star suggested a "sensational" deal could see Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City switch places.

It might seem a pie-in-the-sky idea—the type of transfer more likely to be pulled off during career mode on FIFA 17 than between real-life football clubs—but there's no doubting such speculation creates debate.

Bleacher Report was intrigued enough by the gossip to go a step further: Who would the leading English sides want in a swap deal from their rivals, and who would they be willing to send in the opposite direction?

Having already highlighted potential options for Arsenal and Chelsea, now it is Liverpool's turn to step into the spotlight, as we've asked a plethora of influential figures who they'd trade for.

The idea here was to suggest a deal that would be relatively fair to both sides, rather than take a star and only give up a rarely used squad member. For example, sending Kevin Stewart to Chelsea to acquire N'Golo Kante just isn't realistic.

However, the responses from those questioned about the idea made it crystal clear where the experts believe reinforcements are needed.

Despite having a blank canvas on which to paint something spectacular, and despite having no idea who their peers had picked to trade for, there was a clean sweep in wanting to add a defender.

And they all picked the same one, too...

Henry Jackson, This Is Anfield, Anfield Index

Twitter: @HenryJackson87

Trade: Virgil van Dijk for Mamadou Sakho and Divock Origi, plus cash

JUSTIN TALLIS/Getty Images

Like a summer romance that blossomed during a fortnight in Benidorm, Liverpool supporters have fallen hard for Virgil van Dijk.

Why? Because the back four is seen as the Achilles' heel, the one glaring area of weakness that could undermine Jurgen Klopp's quest for Liverpool to become consistent, persistent challengers for trophies.

"When I think of Liverpool's weakest area of the pitch in recent years, it's centre-back," Jackson said.

"Since Jamie Carragher and Sami Hypia forged such a formidable pairing in the mid-2000s, the Reds have constantly flattered to deceive there, with sloppy goals conceded and a dearth of injury-free leaders.

"Joel Matip has been a decent buy, but Liverpool need a truly top-class defender to come in and sure things up. Van Dijk is the ideal man to do that."

A trip to Blackpool is normally all about sun, sea and spending a few hours on the pleasure beach. However, this summer it was also at the centre of a tapping-up scandal.

Per Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph, Van Dijk was whisked (should you ever be whisked to Blackpool?) to the coastal town to meet Klopp, a careless move on the German's part that resulted in Southampton reporting Liverpool for an illegal approach, followed by the Reds quickly issuing a grovelling apology.

Still, Jackson's trade proposal may be tantalising enough for Southampton to do business with a regular customer again, concocting a two-for-one offer that would also require Liverpool parting with a wedge of cash, too.

"An ideal swap would be to offer Southampton both Sakho and Origi, as well as a hefty fee on top of it," he added.

"I'm a big Sakho fan, but his relationship with Klopp is at the point of no return, and he has to move on. It's such a shame, because he is so superb on his day.

"Origi is a divisive figure, and while there is obvious potential there, I wouldn't be at all upset to see him leave. There are aspects to his game—decision-making, touch and attitude—that I don't think he will ever improve much.

"Perhaps giving Saints two players is extra generous, but Liverpool have to do all they can to get Van Dijk, and they will not let him go without a huge fight. He would become world-class at Liverpool."

Joel Rabinowitz, The Anfield Wrap, Anfield HQ

Twitter: @joel_archie

Trade: Van Dijk for Sakho and Alberto Moreno, plus cash (£20-30 million)

Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Liverpool's hope of securing a deal for Van Dijk could be boosted by other suitors stepping away from the table before a high-stakes bidding war breaks out.

Manchester United look unlikely to add another centre-back to their squad after signing Victor Lindelof from Benfica. Chelsea, meanwhile, have completed the transfer of Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma, per Sky Sports News HQ.

The Reds may have feared they blew their opportunity, with their embarrassing, far-too public courting of a player who cost Southampton £13.35 million in July 2015, per Transfermarkt. The failed pursuit looked set to become the latest botched deal to add to a bulging folder of near misses in the transfer market.

However, there may be a further twist. According to Steve Bates of The Mirror, Van Dijk has told his current employers that he's only interested in playing for the red half of Merseyside (sorry, Everton fans).

The latest development will delight broadcaster/writer Rabinowitz, who worries Liverpool's current options at centre-back are not strong enough to cope with the added exertions of playing in the UEFA Champions League.

"Last season we conceded too many goals once again, and it's something that needs fixing if we are to mount a serious title challenge and compete in Europe next season," he said.

"Although the first-choice pairing of Matip and Dejan Lovren was pretty strong, both players missed a significant number of games through injury, and it was a partnership that Klopp couldn't rely on. The back-up options of Ragnar Klavan and Lucas Leiva represented a significant drop in quality."

Rabinowitz views Van Dijk as the ideal defensive partner for Matip, an excellent piece of transfer business who fitted in serenely at Anfield after arriving from Schalke on a free transfer.

Sakho is an attractive carrot to dangle in a trade, too, particularly as the Frenchman—who will struggle to ever climb off Klopp's naughty step after being sent home from the pre-season tour to the United States last year—impressed during his loan spell at Crystal Palace in the second half of the 2016/17 season.

According to Dave O'Connell on Twitter, the Eagles may dare to have him back again, only this time on a permanent basis:

But who else could the Reds send south to get Van Dijk?

"Alberto Moreno is another piece of dead wood who is destined to move on this summer having fallen way out of favour last season," Rabinowitz suggested.

"If Liverpool could, in theory, swap the Spaniard and Sakho, plus some extra cash, for Van Dijk, it would represent a fair deal overall which addresses Liverpool's primary need this summer, as well as shifting on two players who have no role to play next season under Klopp."

Leanne Prescott, Anfield HQ, Anfield Index

Twitter: @_lfcleanne 

Trade: Van Dijk for Sakho, plus cash

Warren Little/Getty Images

Liverpool previously already raided Southampton for a centre-back. Former manager Brendan Rodgers signed Lovren in the summer of 2014 for £21.51 million, per Transfermarkt.

The move hasn't quite worked out. While Lovren has periods where he looks the part, there have been too many moments when the Reds have wondered if they kept hold of the receipt.

"The team's struggles at the back have been well documented for several years now, with a move for Lovren failing to shore up the defence as Rodgers had hoped," Prescott said.

"The Croatian was brought in to provide some leadership following Carragher's retirement but has hardly covered himself in glory during his time on Merseyside. Wasteful in possession and with a mistake always in his locker, Lovren isn't the dependable figure Liverpool so desperately need."

So would Van Dijk cope better with the added pressure of performing for Liverpool? Prescott believes so, particularly as he has the characteristics required of a Klopp centre-back.

"Strong in the air, Van Dijk would add some steeliness and physicality to the back four, as well as providing a threat going forward from set pieces. During his time at Celtic, he displayed his quality in the final third—both from corners and free-kicks," she said.

"However, the Dutchman also embodies the modern-day, ball-playing centre-back, showing confidence to stride forth in possession and step out of the line of defence. That would fit seamlessly into Klopp's possession dominating, gegenpressing style of play.

"Such an authoritative figure could make the world of difference for Liverpool. And £70 million may be a lot of money for a centre-back, but given the Reds want to be competing in four competitions next season, they can't hope to challenge with such a rocky base.

"Tightening up their foundations will allow Liverpool's mouth-watering attack to take centre stage next season."

And therein lies the underlying reason why Van Dijk is seen as the must-have player for the Reds in this transfer window.

By bringing in Mohamed Salah from AS Roma, Klopp has added both depth and an extra dimension to his attacking options. That is all well and good, but the team will only build on last season if solid foundations are in place.

To that extent, the highly rated Van Dijk is viewed as a key building block, a necessity who needs to arrive no matter what the cost.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.