Liverpool Transfer Rumors: 5 Strange Transfers That Will Not Happen

Liverpool continue to be linked with a whole host of players as the transfer window prepares to open up for Premier League teams once more, though some rumours are perhaps somewhat less likely to happen than others.

Daniel Sturridge looks set to become the first Reds signing of the window (per The Daily Telegraph) when he officially joins on January 2, but there is a good chance more will follow in the following four weeks.

While the world's media attempt to delve into the club's dealings to find out which player is next on manager Brendan Rodgers' hit list, they invariably come up short on one or two occasions.

Here are the five transfers the Reds have been linked with which are least likely to happen.

Xabi Alonso

Sorry, Reds fans, this one's just not happening.

Xabi Alonso caused a bit of a commotion when he stated (via ESPN.com) that he would not sign a new contract with Real Madrid if he couldn't guarantee his level of play and that a return to the Premier League would interest him.

Unfortunately, the Spaniard still has a year-and-a-half left on his present deal, so he won't be leaving any time soon anyway—and given the class of the midfielder, it is entirely likely he will still be a key player for Real in 18 months' time.

Perhaps Xabi will one day again grace the red shirt of Liverpool, but it won't be this season and is unlikely to be when he is still at his peak.

Wesley Sneijder

With Liverpool struggling to find enough goals this season, strikers have been the main source of inspiration for transfer rumours—but the Reds were linked with an attacking midfielder with a history of goals too.

Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has been out of the team this season amid stories of a contractual disagreement and, according to the Daily Mail, Liverpool had been set to make a firm offer for him.

The Dutchman no doubt remains a class act and would have an impact on the team, but he neither plays in one of the most pressing roles to be strengthened nor has a wage which would be conducive to the structure in place at Anfield.

David Villa

Another rumour concerning a top player in European football now: Barcelona forward David Villa.

Villa brings goals, know-how and great movement, but he won't be bringing those skills to Anfield despite The Guardian having intimated the Reds were interested.

Having spent much of last season missing through injury, Villa has been in and out of the Barcelona team this campaign and questions circle about whether he is happy to be a squad player.

A loan move has been mentioned, but seemingly a permanent deal—worth around £10 million—was in the minds of those concocting the story.

Liverpool might spend that figure or more on forwards, but they won't be 31 years old with massive wages on top.

Luis Suarez

Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero were deemed insufficient for Manchester City's front line when the Daily Mail lined up Luis Suarez for them as a new big buy, but Suarez is one Red who's not going anywhere.

Should Suarez leave, he would almost certainly fetch Liverpool an even bigger fee than the £50 million they received for Fernando Torres two years ago, but Suarez is the one genuine match-winner the Reds have left in their squad.

The team is being rebuilt around his talents and Rodgers has no intentions of letting him go.

A new contract signed in the summer is evidence of the forward's own commitment to the Liverpool cause, regardless of any boardroom decisions.

Stewart Downing

Just a few weeks back, Stewart Downing looked a serious contender to leave Liverpool in January.

Out of the team, in the media spotlight after some less-than-complimentary comments from his manager and time ticking down on his chance to prove people wrong, Downing was a very peripheral figure at Anfield.

Over the past month, though, he has picked his game up considerably and having netted and assisted for the first time in the league against Fulham recently, Downing is suddenly a regular on the team sheet.

He still has a lot of work to do to convince the boss and fans of his long-term reliability and quality, but he should have at least pushed himself a few places further back in the queue of unwanted players.

Downing has been linked with a loan move to old club Middlesbrough by the Daily Mail, but if the winger does leave for anywhere, it surely needs to be a permanent move which generates the club around £7 or 8 million.

Poor return on an initially large investment, but perhaps Downing's recent form is a sign that things are picking up for the winger.

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