Liverpool Midfield Roundup: A Potential Signing and a Comeback

Many names have been linked with Liverpool over these last few weeks, but one rumour that refuses to subside is that of Joe Allen.

The Swansea midfielder flourished under Brendan Rodgers in his debut Premier League season, leading to the 22-year-old being heavily linked with a move to Anfield to follow his ex-manager.

However, any move for the Team GB Olympic star wouldn't be straightforward, with a 12-month agreement in place stopping Rodgers from bidding for his old employees, unless they become available on the market, according to Swansea Chairman Huw Jenkins.

Speaking to ESPN, Rodgers said:

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"I have a great relationship with Swansea, but if there is a market for any of the players I would like to be in that market.

"He [Allen] is a very talented player, which everyone knows, but there is nothing more at the moment.

"When players come to a club such as Liverpool, it's never straightforward.

"As a manager you want them in sooner rather than later, but the main thing is to get them in before the beginning of the season. If we do that, our job will be done."

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It is thought that it would cost £15 million to prise away the player, who last year signed a new four-year contract and his agent, Glenn Corcoran, this week had to move to deny his client was trying to force through a move.

Is this the type of player the club should be targeting though?  Or are there other areas of the team that require more TLC?

Return

One players who could soon be making his comeback though is Lucas, which will be music to the ears of all Reds fans.

The Brazilian had a tricky time of it when he first joined the club, but has since gone on to become a crucial part of the first team.

He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Stamford Bridge last November and could be set to return two months ahead of schedule.

Speaking to the club's tour website, Rodgers said: 

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"He'll have some involvement.

"He's still got some way to go to get back to where he was before the injury but he's back two months early.

"This is normally a nine-month injury.

"He's been back in seven, and that's great credit to his work and the work of the medics here.

"He's done very, very well and is working very hard.

"We can feed him into some of the games and increase his mental capacity to improve, because obviously it was a serious injury."

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He may even get some game time in the clubs first preseason game this Saturday against Toronto FC.