Liverpool Transfer News: Attacking Utility Andre Schurrle a Winter Must for Reds

The wealth of talent at Stamford Bridge provides an elite class of competition that numerous stars can fall victim to, with Andre Schurrle among the latest to struggle for Chelsea prominence.

According to Anthony Chapman of the Express, Liverpool will look to capitalise upon that uncertainty by making a winter move for the forward, who should be considered a priority in Brendan Rodgers' eyes. Chapman writes:

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Schurrle linked up with the Blues in 2013 from Bayer Leverkusen for £18m, but has only found the back of the net 11 times in 54 appearances, and reports claim that his manager is running out of patience. 

Chelsea have been keeping tabs on a number of attackers, most recently Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, and it has now been claimed that Schurrle will be allowed to depart the club in the upcoming transfer window.

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Mohamed Salah is another figure struggling to feature under Jose Mourinho of late, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar accounting for most of the playing time in attacking midfield.

Schurrle's chances would undoubtedly be stronger at Anfield, where Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling would be his main competition for a berth on the wing.

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However, the former Leverkusen talisman is more than a winger alone and showed a scoring touch at the 2014 World Cup—netting three goals despite playing cameo roles for the majority of the tournament—which suggests he can be of other use.

BBC Sport hinted last week that Chelsea's interest in Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus could push them to cash in on their star:

Liverpool's main worry this season has been replacing the void left up front by Luis Suarez's departure for Barcelona. Daniel Sturridge would seek to plug that gap, but his injury woes have prevented him from doing so.

At the BayArena, Schurrle was often used in a support striker regard, and were it not for the prolific form of Stefan Kiessling, he may well have found himself featuring more regularly up top.

The presence of strikers such as Samuel Eto'o and now Diego Costa means there's no need for the German in west London, but his offensive skill is an understated part of the attacker's repertoire that now goes undervalued.

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In that respect, Rodgers would have another use for Schurrle, and one that could greatly benefit the Reds as Mario Balotelli continues to disappoint up front.

The 24-year-old has made just four Premier League starts this season and had just nine shots at goal, only three of which have hit the target, according to Squawka.

Laurie Whitwell of the Daily Mail indicates that Mourinho expects more from his fringe players, which is part of the reason for their recent exclusions:

But although he hasn't been permitted to show his predatory traits, Schurrle could be a malleable asset for Liverpool, an outlet capable from the wing, in behind the main striker or in the most advanced position himself.

Mourinho has struggled to find consistent use for his star, but where the Portuguese would struggle, Rodgers can offer the World Cup winner a route out. It may not be the elite destination Schurrle would hope for given Liverpool's struggles of late, but the potential to thrive on Merseyside may yet tempt him.

Chapman cites in his report that Spurs will also look to contest for Schurrle's services with a £25 million bid of their own, but one might argue while Liverpool are out of sorts, it's merely a matter of time before all the pieces come together.

In that respect, Schurrle could be a coveted component to the puzzle, a mould fitting numerous shapes and sizes, able to slot into more than one conundrum and provide part of the attacking answer the Reds have been seeking.