Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Must Keep Chasing Clint Dempsey After False Report

Liverpool has not signed Fulham’s Clint Dempsey just yet, but the Reds must keep chasing him, as he is exactly the type of player they need in the lineup. 

The BBC reported on July 18 that a story claiming Dempsey had been sold to Liverpool was on NESN.com for about five hours. The website is owned by the Fenway Sports Group, which also controls the Merseyside club. As noted in the BBC’s article, both Fulham and Liverpool have denied any transaction.

The London-based club seems intent to hang on to Dempsey. The Guardian quoted a club spokesman saying, "We have received no offers from any club for Clint Dempsey.  We would discourage any club from making a bid for him."

Still, the rumors have been flying around the American’s possible move to Liverpool. On July 17, John Edwards of the Telegraph reported that the Reds were close to signing Dempsey for a £10 million fee.

Conflicting reports such as this are typical of the transfer season. Sorting fact from fiction is near impossible, but a simple truth is that Dempsey would be a perfect fit at Anfield. 

He led his club with 17 English Premier League goals, as well as setting a team-high with six assists. He is a versatile and efficient attacking player who can play multiple positions.

He spent most matches on the wing for Fulham, but also played center forward and as an attacking midfielder.

Liverpool’s greatest need right now is for a creative player in the center of the pitch who can score and distribute. This is the role that Jordan Henderson occupied last season, and he woefully underperformed by recording just two goals and one assist.

Dempsey would be a smart choice to play behind the strikers, and new manager Brendan Rodgers will also have the luxury of moving him around when necessary. 

Rodgers has been keen on adding attacking players this summer. His first signing as the Reds’ boss was Italian striker Fabio Borini for £11 million. This came after he lost out on the race for Gylfi Sigurdsson, an attacking central midfielder who played extremely well for him at Swansea City. 

But Dempsey would be an excellent choice as the second signing of the summer. He would be an instant boost for the Liverpool attack and would help the team improve upon its eighth place finish in the table, and dismiss the No. 11 rank among Premiership teams in goals scored. 

Despite all the false rumors and reports, Rodgers must stay on Fulham’s case and pry Dempsey away from Craven Cottage.