Liverpool Transfer Rumours: 6 Big-Name Stars to Improve the Reds Next Season

Liverpool will go into the 2012-13 season next year knowing that they will be back in European competition, having won the Carling Cup last month, and with aspirations of securing a top-four Premier League finish—regardless of whether or not they go on to achieve that feat in what remains of this season.

After shelling out over £100 million on new talent since John W. Henry and Tom Werner took over ownership of the club, Liverpool have begun the restructuring of the playing staff necessary to challenge on all fronts once more following the breakup of the successful late-2000's team.

The approach shown by manager Kenny Dalglish, Director of Football Damien Comolli and Managing Director Ian Ayre in the transfer market has been to look to secure younger players with experience of playing in the Premier League.

While this is clearly a mid-to-long-term approach, Liverpool will need to invest further on one or two top talents in key areas to seriously have an impact at the top of the Premier League and in European competition.

Alongside those top players who make a difference, every club needs to continue to improve the supporting cast, the squad players, the men who can come in and out of the team when needed to do a good job and help win matches.

With this slideshow, we will take a look at six players the Reds have been linked with who could make a difference to the points tally next season, either as first team or squad players.

Javi Garcia, Benfica, Central Midfielder

We kick off the slideshow with Spanish midfielder Javi Garcia, who has been linked with a move to the North-West of England with both Manchester United and Liverpool.

A former Real Madrid man, Garcia is a tenacious holding midfielder who is looked at as a replacement for Lucas Leiva, with the Brazilian out until next season with a long-term injury and his future uncertain as a result.

At least that is what certain media would have you believe.

Javi Garcia plays for Benfica and has appeared for them in this season's Champions League, notably against Manchester United—ergo the link, no doubt.

Why is this rumour here then?

A holding midfielder would no doubt be a good move for Liverpool. Not necessarily this one, but a strong, determined, box-to-box type who could both compliment or replace Lucas as necessary, and have the technical ability to make a difference at both ends of the pitch, is pretty much a must this summer.

Maybe not Garcia, but certainly somebody in that position.

Junior Hoilett, Blackburn Rovers, Winger

Junior Hoilett, Blackburn Rovers' fleet-of-foot winger, is currently heading into the summer and out of contract with his present club, which has alerted a string of teams both in the Premier League and abroad.

Liverpool are one such side, though Rovers manager Steve Kean still hopes to persuade the Canadian to sign a new deal.

With the player out of contract but only 21 years of age, he would command a fee—likely set by a tribunal if the clubs cannot agree on a price—but a vastly lowered one than if he signed a new deal.

Should he decide to move outside of England, of course, Rovers would lose him for nothing at all.

Hoilett is a silky and fast wide attacker who can play on either flank, though he is arguably more effective cutting in from the left to use his right foot for shooting or incisive passing.

Fair to say, Liverpool could always do with more ability in wide areas.

Matias Suarez, Anderlecht, Forward

Liverpool's goal scoring woes have been well-documented this season and, should media rumours be believed, they have targeted another Suarez to solve the problem—Matias Suarez of Anderlecht in Belgium.

This weekend has seen the Argentinian forward linked in several outlets amid rumours of Damien Comolli earmarking him as a £20 million target.

Suarez has netted 18 goals in all competitions this season, though how much sway that will hold with Kopites remains to be seen, with the Belgian top flight hardly the most demanding in Europe.

Liverpool will almost certainly target a striker in the summer—but whether they will be paying £20 million for one remains to be seen, with over £50 million already shelled out for Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Edinson Cavani, Napoli, Striker

The striker theme continues, with Liverpool linked with Luis Suarez's international strike partner, Edinson Cavani of Napoli and Uruguay.

While the striker would undoubtedly be a massive addition for Liverpool or any other club—he is also linked with the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid—whether he would be prepared to move to a club who will be competing in the Europa League next season is another matter.

Cavani is strong, a fine finisher, powerful in the air and capable of playing as part of a front two or up top alone—attributes which would be beneficial in the extreme to the Reds this season.

There is no doubt Cavani would be a fantastic addition and would make the Reds a better side—but don't hold your breath, Reds fans, that he joins this summer.

Pablo Armero, Udinese, Left Wing-Back

Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Udinese's left wing-back, the Colombian Pablo Armero.

The estimated £5.5 million asking price would be far from prohibitive for Liverpool, who will return to European action next season, along with a handy commercial boost from the new kit makers, Warrior Sports. It is highly likely that at least a couple of additions will be required, whether first-choice players or not, to boost squad numbers.

Armero is a strong and fast player on the left side capable of playing either defence or midfield.

However, his main position for Udinese is as left wing-back, a role which Liverpool infrequently utilise.

Reds fans might also hesitate at the reminder of the last left wing-back they signed from Udinese, a certain Andrea Dossena.

Ezequiel Lavezzi, Napoli, Forward

Saving the best until last...

Another Napoli forward, Ezequiel Lavezzi, is linked with a move to Liverpool.

No particular fee is mentioned for the Argentinian, though he would surely command a fee of at least £20 million.

Quite simply, Lavezzi would be an immense signing for Liverpool, but as with Edinson Cavani, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can attract that calibre of player this summer.

Playing through the centre as a second forward or as a supporting player from the channels, Lavezzi would be an incredible addition to the Reds squad.