Liverpool Transfer News: Brendan Rodgers Must Move for Ajax Duo

The time is now for Brendan Rodgers to pounce for Ajax's Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld.

The Daily Mirror's Steve Stammers reported Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are both vying to bring in the Eredivisie duo:

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Tottenham have launched an audacious £15million double bid for Ajax stars Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld.

The Spurs move threatens to hijack Liverpool’s interest in the duo. The Reds have been long-time favourites to sign two of Europe’s most gifted young players whose contracts expire next summer.

Both have turned down a string of proposed transfers this summer to wait for the right Premier League club - until now believed to be Liverpool.

But while Liverpool have been distracted by the furore surrounding Luis Suarez, Spurs have made their move.

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“I am prepared to wait. I will only go where my heart wants to go,’’ Eriksen said, explaining that he is keen to go to a club with stature and history in the Premier League.

“I am patiently waiting what will happen in the next few weeks. But I have said before I only want to go to a club where I feel I can play at my best and which suits my style.’’

“I am ready for something new, I am ready for bigger options. But it has to be right.”

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Eriksen's sentiments echo what he told to Stuart James of The Guardian back in December 2012. The 21-year-old midfielder is ready to move if given the right club and the right situation.

Alderweireld is willing to leave Ajax as well (h/t Matt Law of the Daily Mirror). Back in July he said:

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I am keeping all my ­options open. I am not rushing out the door. The whole picture of my next club has to be perfect. With every offer I am ­receiving this summer, I look at the pros and cons. The total package of my next club has to be right for me.

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Should Rodgers land both players, it would likely conclude what has been a very strong transfer window for the Reds. Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet have looked very good in preseason. Kolo Toure is an experienced centre-back who's arguably an upgrade from Jamie Carragher. Luis Alberto is no doubt one for the future and has shown some flashes of what he can bring down the line.

Liverpool have been very shrewd this summer and not gone above their financial means. There's still some work to be done, and the Reds would be smart to add both Eriksen and Alderweireld.

Eriksen is one of the best young midfielders in the world. Despite his age, he's picked up a vast amount of experience at Ajax. He's been very careful so as to not get into a club situation that's going to hinder his development. Eriksen has stayed in Holland despite interest from some of the biggest clubs around.

However, his career seems to have stalled in the Eredivisie. He's done just about everything he possibly can with Ajax.

To start the 2012/13 season, Eriksen struggled for form. Those problems followed what was a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign for both he and Denmark. Then in the second half of the year, Eriksen looked to be back to his best as Ajax claimed their third consecutive league title.

Eriksen is the kind of midfield playmaker Liverpool have lacked for the last few seasons. Although Joe Allen has looked good in preseason, Eriksen should be considered an upgrade. He's two years younger and has done much more in his career already than Allen has.

Tactically, Eriksen also offers more flexibility. He can be a deep-lying playmaker, or he can also play a little higher up the pitch and look to score. He had 10 league goals in 2012/13 for Ajax.

His Ajax teammate, Alderweireld, would be the centre-back Rodgers is looking for.

It's no secret Martin Skrtel really struggled adapting to Liverpool's style. He was asked to keep a high line and pass out of the back when necessary.

A mobile, ball-playing defender is the antithesis of the kind of player Skrtel is. He is a very physical defender who's at his best when playing close to the goal. Over time, he could adapt to Rodgers' system. At 28 years old, by the time that happens, Skrtel will already be on the decline.

Having spent his entire career at Ajax, the 24-year-old Belgian has plenty of experience playing in a free-flowing, attacking formation.

Alderweireld is extremely adept with the ball at his feet. He can pass out of danger or launch a 40-yard ball up to his teammate who's bearing down on goal. Far from a liability at the back, Alderweireld is physical and doesn't often get caught out of position, either.

He's not yet the player Jan Vertonghen was when he moved to Spurs. Vertonghen's success is a good sign that Alderweireld would be able to handle the Premier League if given a chance.

With the signings they've made so far, Liverpool are beginning to inch closer and closer to the top four. Although Eriksen and Alderweireld wouldn't make the Reds a lock for a Champions League spot, the duo would continue to put the club on the right path.