Liverpool FC Transfers: Should the Reds Sign These 5 British Rumoured Targets?

Liverpool are widely expected to be in the transfer market for some new blood during the January window despite having spent relatively heavily last summer.

The recent uninspiring draw against Stoke City, the Reds seventh in 11 league games at Anfield this season, added further fuel to the fires of speculation that have been raging in the world's media despite recent statements from boss Kenny Dalglish that he was happy with the current state of the squad.

Merely for comparison, if Liverpool had taken maximum points from their home matches this season—as Manchester City have done—they would sit atop of the Premier League at this moment in time.

However, for all the talk of new arrivals, some fans are somewhat hesitant about exactly who might arrive this winter after all the new recruits this season have impressed on the pitch, with Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson all being subject to criticism at different times this term.

A general feeling amongst certain sections of the club's support is that the domestic signings, broadly speaking, have not been as successful as they might have been.

With that in mind, here we take a look at five UK-based British players who have been linked with moves to Liverpool recently and discuss whether they have the skill sets which would aid the Reds during the remainder of this season—or whether Damien Comolli and Dalglish would be better off looking elsewhere.

Thanks for reading and, as ever, feel free to leave your comments below.

Darren Bent, Aston Villa, Striker

Darren Bent has been linked with a move to Liverpool, on and off, for about six years now. Before signing for Tottenham, it was claimed the Reds wanted him, then one again when he left for Sunderland, and now once more while at current club Aston Villa.

However, after recent rumours arose that Liverpool wanted to take the predatory striker to Anfield, Villa boss Alex McLeish came out with a statement that he had spoken to Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish, who had personally assured him that the Reds had no interest in the England international.

Despite these words, further speculation came to light soon after that Villa wanted to sign Liverpool's No. 9 Andy Carroll—and were willing to include Darren Bent in a part-exchange deal.

Reports have varied between a move already being almost agreed, and that Liverpool were waiting until summer to cash in on Carroll, who has struggled for form since signing last season.

So what of Bent?

He has pace, loves to play on the shoulder of the defence, works the channels and has an impressive scoring ratio in the Premier League.

It all sounds very good, but further watching of Bent in action reveals that he infrequently gets involved in any buildup play outside the box and thrives mostly in counter-attacking teams where he can utilise his pace to get in behind defences who have pushed up higher.

Against Liverpool, however, teams tend to sit further back—especially at Anfield—which perhaps indicates that Bent would not be able to use his major assets as much as he would like, and certainly not as much as he has done at the likes of Sunderland, which enabled him to score so many goals.

Verdict: A good Premier League goalscorer, but his attributes are not suited to facing defences who play so deep. His pace is great, his movement inside the penalty box is not always of such a high standard. Bent will score goals wherever he plays—but he wouldn't get as many at Liverpool. A stay-away deal for the Reds.

Ryan Shawcross, Stoke City, Central Defender

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross, who the Reds were linked with a £10 million move for in the summer and have been linked with again since then, helped his side record a clean sheet and a point against Liverpool in his most recent outing, but is he the type of central defender the Reds need?

Indeed, do Liverpool even need another centre-back?

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have forged a strong partnership this season, and Jamie Carragher still has some life left in him yet. Add into the mix youngsters Danny Wilson and Sebastian Coates, both on the fringes of the first team (Wilson is currently out on loan), and a host of talented reserve and under-18s, and the one area Liverpool don't seem to need to stockpile more depth is centre-back.

Of course, if a world-class addition can be made, perhaps it doesn't matter how many you've got—you just improve the team, and sell somebody else to make room.

Does Shawcross fit the bill?

In short, no.

He is strong, he can certainly make a tackle and win the ball in the air and has a good mentality—all of which comes as standard for a Tony Pulis player.

But Shawcross also has a propensity to follow forwards out into wide areas unnecessarily, makes rash and needless challenges from behind, often conceding free kicks when there is no imminent danger or need to win back the ball, and, while not sluggish, is far from being rapid.

Basically, he's a not-quite-as-good version of Martin Skrtel, who Liverpool already have.

Verdict: Liverpool don't need Shawcross, and they can do far better if they do decide they need a new arrival.

Jermaine Defoe, Tottenham Hotspur, Striker

In amongst the many rumours of forwards that Liverpool have been linked with during January's transfer window, Spurs striker Jermaine Defoe is one name which has cropped up following speculation of him seeking a transfer away from Tottenham to secure regular game time, as he bids to win a place in England's Euro 2012 squad.

Defoe is, like Bent, a forward who thrives most in and around the penalty box rather than looking to be heavily involved in buildup play and dropping deep to link the attack and midfield.

Unlike Bent, however, Defoe is comfortable and effective playing against deep-lying defences and has far better movement in the penalty box.

The 23-time capped striker is an exceptionally clean striker of the ball, from close range or from outside the box, but he's perhaps not extremely clinical. However, that could be attributed to his unfortunate omissions from the team, making it difficult at times to get into a real rhythm, which is important for any striker.

When he has been a first choice and regular starter, Defoe has scored plenty of goals: 22 in 44 games for Spurs in 2004-05, 17 in 36 for Portsmouth over a one-year period from 2008-09 and 24 in 43 for Spurs again during 09-10.

Rotation and different systems employed by his team since then have seen Defoe's starting places limited to just 16 Premier League starts last season (22 appearances, four goals total) and only seven this season (15 appearances, seven goals total).

Not the hardest working striker you will ever find in the league, but Defoe has plenty of ability and can score a wide range of goals.

Verdict: Maybe not the ideal target for Liverpool in terms of age (29) and likely cost, but perhaps a surprisingly good strike partner for Luis Suarez in terms of his preference to play with a chances-creating forward and his ability to score goals with relatively few shots.

Defoe has averaged a goal every 6.7 shots in the league this season, which favourably compares to teammates Emmanuel Adebayor (7.4) and Rafael van der Vaart (8.6), both of whom have started many more matches than Defoe (19 and 17, respectively).

Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace, Winger / Forward

Crystal Palace prodigy Wilfried Zaha is only 19 years of age, but he's already been linked with a move to Liverpool—along with several other top sides—for over a year.

More recently, reports surfaced again to say that Kenny Dalglish was willing to part with up to £10 million to land the exciting attacker.

Like Liverpool, Crystal Palace are in the semifinals of the League Cup and also hold a slender 1-0 advantage to take into the second leg, and the possible appearance at Wembley may be enough to ensure that Zaha remains at Palace until the summer at least.

Zaha favours a creative forward's role where he can utilise his trickery and pace to full effect in creating goalscoring chances, but he's largely been played on the right wing until now as he continues to learn his trade.

Technically proficient and with quick feet and good, close control, Zaha is clearly an exciting prospect but, much like youthful attackers who have moved from the Championship to Premiership before him such as Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, perhaps still lacks something of an end product to match his enterprising buildup.

Should he continue his upward trajectory in the game, he will no doubt become a big attacking asset to whichever club eventually buys him.

Verdict: Zaha has talent, but whether he is ready to step up to the top flight in England is more difficult to call. I would be inclined to leave him to complete what would be only his second full season in the Championship with Palace, though, in summer, of course, there will be a larger queue of clubs wanting to sign him.

A long-term contract with his present club means his price will be a premium rate one anyway, so perhaps Liverpool might be better off attempting to sign Zaha in this window—especially if Palace do not make the final of the League Cup—and loaning him back out for the remainder of the season.

A first-refusal for the summer with a guaranteed price arranged would also be an option.

Adam Matthews, Celtic, Full-Back

Adam Matthews is a young full-back who currently plies his trade with Celtic in Scotland, having signed from Championship outfit Cardiff City in the summer.

Predominantly a right-sided defender, but capable of playing on the left as well, Matthews cost the Hoops only a small compensation fee when he left his previous club upon the expiration of his contract.

Matthews is strong in the challenge and confident in getting forward to support the attack, and he has earned good reviews for his performances north of the border, with several Premier League teams reported to be monitoring him despite only having been at Celtic a matter of months.

However, Liverpool are already well stocked in defence, especially on the right side, with Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly vying for a first-team place, and Jon Flanagan a more than able and youthful deputy seeking to increase the number of minutes he gets on the pitch.

With Flanagan having been handed a new deal in the summer, it would seem unlikely that the manager would want to place another obstacle in his way, with England first-choice right-back Johnson and England under-21 regular Kelly already at the club.

On the left is a similar story, with Jack Robinson, the club's youngest ever player, continuing to improve and trying to make the breakthrough at first-team level.

Verdict: Liverpool don't need another young full-back. A transfer worth leaving alone and a rumour worth ignoring.