Rafa Benitez and Liverpool Have a Busy Summer Ahead

Rafa Benitez has been told he will have around ₤30 million to spend in the summer. Seeing as Liverpool are finally in a serious title challenge this season, one might think that Liverpool just need a couple more additions to the squad.

The Merseysiders are currently in second place in the Premiership, three points behind defending champions Manchester United, who have a game in hand. Whether or not Liverpool win this season's Premiership, the Reds have shown a significant improvement since Rafa took charge in summer 2004.

₤30 million is definitely enough to bring in a big name and at least two more fringe players, so why does Rafa need to sell players before buying new ones in the summer? Which areas do Liverpool really need to strengthen?

Liverpool need another striker for sure, a top class one. Liverpool have suffered at times this season when Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard have been injured. Many would agree that if Torres had not got himself injured so many times this season, Liverpool would probably be topping the league by a big margin at this stage of the competition.

David Villa, Samuel Eto'o, Carlos Tevez, and Roque Santa Cruz have all been linked with a move to Anfield. Both Villa and Eto'o reiterated their desires to stay at their current clubs earlier despite being heavily linked with a summer exit. However, Valencia's financial crisis may leave Villa and fellow teammates no choice but to leave.

Santa Cruz will be desperate to leave in the summer after failing to make a move away from Blackburn in January. The Paraguay striker seems very likely to leave in the summer, especially if Blackburn get relegated.

Another department that Liverpool need to strengthen is their full backs. Fabio Aurelio is currently enjoying his best Liverpool season, but defensively Aurelio is just not reliable. His delivery is superb, but he seems to be better as a midfielder. Andrea Dossena also has not been able to live up to expectations following his arrival last summer.

Alvaro Arbeloa is a dependable defender, but I would say he can never produce something "big." Besides, he has looked shaky in recent big games and was reportedly homesick earlier this season. Philipp Degen has spent more time on the sidelines than on the pitch.

Glen Johnson looks like the man Rafa wants to fill the right-back slot should both Arbeloa and Degen be sold. Johnson has probably been the best right-back in England this season, and after failing to move to Liverpool in January, this summer would be a perfect time for him to join Liverpool.

With Sami Hyypia's contract running out in the summer and Daniel Agger desperately seeking regular first team action elsewhere, Liverpool need to buy at least one centre-back. Raul Albiol is likely to leave Valencia as Los Che look to offload him to reduce financial burden.

Meanwhile, Jack Hobbs' loan deal from Liverpool to Leicester City was made permanent earlier this week. Little-known Ukrainian defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy could be on his way to Liverpool in the summer as well.

Ryan Babel is also rumoured to be seeking a move away from Liverpool, as he has failed to start regularly this season. However, Yossi Benayoun will most likely be rewarded with a new contract after impressing against bigger teams this season.

Despite being a favourite of the manager, Lucas could be on his way out too as Rafa is still keen to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield.

Rafa Benitez would probably not think about offloading Xabi Alonso to raise funds again this season, as the Spaniard has been Liverpool's most consistent performer this season. With Javier Mascherano's sale near impossible, Lucas looks like the player Rafa will sacrifice if Barry comes in.

Wingers Aaron Lennon and David Silva have also been linked with a move to Liverpool. These two wingers can bring more creativity to Liverpool's flanks.

David Silva has previously stated that he would want to stay in Spain, but Valencia want both Villa and Silva away from La Liga. That has sparked the possibility of both of them joining Rafa and his Spanish contingent at Liverpool.

Although all of these are just rumours, Liverpool do have several areas to work on in order to win more trophies next season. Therefore, this coming summer is going to be a busy and crucial one for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool.