Liverpool FC Transfers: Top 8 Players Kenny Dalglish Should Target This Summer

As the summer begins, football teams like Liverpool begin their search for new players in order to make the proper adjustments to contend for a league title.

Liverpool struggled to start and finish the season strong.

They would win just two of their first nine games of the season including losses to Blackburn and Everton, two teams Liverpool is easily more complete than.

To end the season, the team would lose it's last two games, finishing in the sixth spot in the Premier League just behind Tottenham Hotspur. The team allowed a whopping 44 goals over the course of the season—nine more goals than they allowed in the 2009-2010 season.

Going into next season, adjustments will have to be made as Liverpool undoubtedly will need to explore the transfer market and pick up some solid talent.

Here are the top eight players that Liverpool should and possibly have already considered acquiring.

Alvaro Pereira, FC Porto

CaughtOffside, a football blog featured by BBC and Sky News, has recently reported that Liverpool has their eyes on Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Pereira.

Alvaro Pereira, defender and midfielder for FC Porto, is a versatile player that a team like Liverpool could use to make them more of a threat next season.

Pereria is just 25 years old and playing some of the best soccer of his career on the national level. After a solid run in the 2010 World Cup, Pereira is now making noise in the Copa America 2011, where he has two goals in two appearances.

Pereira is a capable finisher that has proven himself and Liverpool could use him next season.

Alexis Sanchez, Udinese

Top winger for Udinese, Alexis Sanchez is a hot player on the market for many teams, including Liverpool.

Earlier in the summer, it was reported that Sanchez wanted out of Udinese, as his stock is rising in the football world. Sanchez is a top offensive talent that scores goals and creates scoring opportunities as well as any player.

Sanchez also is proving himself in the Copa America 2011, where he has helped Chile to win their group and move on the quarterfinals of the cup.

Barcelona is reportedly the team he will be likely to transfer to, so Liverpool will have to get a move on if they expect to acquire him.

Aly Cissokho, Lyon

Liverpool showed gaps defensively last season, as it comes at no surprise the Dalglish is rumored to be interested in Lyon defender Aly Cissokho according to Metro online.

The team is in search of a defender like Cissokho, a younger talent that can rejuvenate a somewhat flat looking defense.

Last season, Liverpool allowed 44 goals in 38 games, a total that must be cut down if the team expects to be a top-three team in the Premier League.

This would allow Glen Johnson to play true to his position defensively and fill the gap that they have had on the left-side of the back line.

Diego Forlan, Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan might be in his 30s, yet he has shown he is still arguably one of the top strikers in the world.

The Golden Boot winner of the 2010 World Cup with five goals, Forlan has made a name for himself after leading Uruguay to an unexpected fourth-place finish in the World Cup.

With Atletico Madrid, Forlan has proven to be a force alongside Argentenian teammate Sergio Aguero.

Wouldn't it be something if Forlan played alongside Luis Suarez for the team? Talk about a tandem that knows a thing or two about playing with one another.

Wayne Bridge, Manchester City

Manchester City defender, Wayne Bridge, could be a player that Dalglish could end up picking up this summer.

Bridge would be player that will help to fill some gaps this Liverpool team features defensively, while also not having to pay the guy as much as a player like Cissohko of Lyon or Aaron Lennon of Tottenham.

Stewart Downing, Aston Villa

According to several sites such as ESPN.com, Steward Downing is a player that Liverpool has made strong efforts in trying to acquire in transfers this summer. A recent report has Liverpool accepting a transfer fee that they would have to pay in acquiring Downing, as they two sides are now closing in on a deal.

Downing is a positive player on the pitch that can score and create offensively. The 26-year-old midfielder had eight goals and seven assists last season, while starting in 40 games for the team last season.

This would be as positive a pick up as any for the team as Downing is a young, proven talent that is peaking in his career.

Sergio Aguero, Atletico Madrid

Arguably the most talented Argentinian forward outside of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero is a top talent in the football world and arguably wants out of Madrid.

Teams like Manchester City and Chelsea also have reported interest in Aguero, yet Liverpool should possibly make an extra effort to get the forward. Chelsea is now out of the race for Aguero, giving Liverpool an even greater chance at picking up the talent.

For Atletico Madrid, Aguero would make a difference in their offense and would likely perform well alongside Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.

Aaron Lennon, Tottenham Hotspur

Goal.com has recently made note that Aaron Lennon, winger for the Tottenham Hotspurs, is being targeted by Liverpool this summer.

Lennon recorded three goals and seven assists last season for the Spurs. He is a setup man that can create things offensively, as he proved time and time again last year.

Lennon would allow the offense to have more fluidity and potentially create more goal scoring opportunities for newly acquired Uruguayan star forward, Luis Suarez.