5 January Transfer Targets Who Could Spark Liverpool to Life in 2015

Liverpool enjoyed a successful night in their League Cup quarter-final victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday night, setting up a semi-final against Chelsea.

Next up for Brendan Rodgers' side are Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds then have a run of fixtures that sees Burnley, Swansea City and Leicester City as their opponents—taking us into the new year.

Buoyed by the League Cup success, Rodgers will be hoping his side can carry confidence into those games and enter 2015 higher than the current 11th place they occupy in the Premier League.

We'll then be in the January transfer window and with it the rumour mill will go into overdrive over who may, or may not, arrive at Anfield.

Already Rodgers has been linked with dozens of players who could improve his side's form over the second half of the campaign.

A goalkeeper would certainly be high on his wishlist.

Ignoring the defensive issues that continue to plague the club, here are five players who could spark Liverpool into life in 2015.

Xherdan Shaqiri

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Swiss attacker Xherdan Shaqiri is a player who was strongly linked with a move to Anfield in the summer—so much so that the player himself claimed Liverpool had enquired about him prior to the World Cup, as per ESPN.

Now the 23-year-old is, according to German outlet Bild, being made available by Bayern Munich in January.

Shaqiri certainly fits the profile of player FSG and Liverpool seek to sign, showing signs of future development.

Indeed, a front three of Shaqiri, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling is quite an impressive prospect.

However, having signed Adam Lallana instead for £25 million in the summer, would the owners now sanction a move for Shaqiri?

Yohan Cabaye

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Former Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been linked with Liverpool in January after his move to Paris Saint-Germain last January has failed to work out, as per MailOnline.

While Liverpool's defensive problems and lack of attacking output are well noted, midfield is also an area where the Reds have struggled this campaign.

With Steven Gerrard's role increasingly under question and Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho failing to recapture their form of last season, plus new signings Lallana and Emre Can struggling to cement a place in Rodgers' plans, this move could prove efficient.

For once, the acquisition of 28-year-old Cabaye would provide a ready-made, proven, quality addition at Anfield. Which, unfortunately, makes this less likely to happen.

Asmir Begovic

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Liverpool's need for a solid, commanding goalkeeper is well known, especially since Brendan Rodgers dropped Simon Mignolet for an "indefinite" time.

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is a player who has been linked with a move away from The Potters for some time, with Anfield often his reported destination. The 27-year-old has admitted he wants to play football at the highest level, as per MailOnline.

Experienced, commanding, proven in the Premier League and comfortable in possession. Just why Liverpool signed Mignolet instead of Begovic remains a mystery.

Alexandre Lacazette

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Alexandre Lacazette has emerged as an option for striker-needy Liverpool in January, writes David Maddock in the Mirror.

The Frenchman, who has scored 11 goals in his last 13 games for Lyon, would certainly be a welcome addition in Liverpool's attack, especially if the Reds can sell on unwanted Fabio Borini for a decent fee.

Maddock claims the 23-year-old is valued at around £15 million by the French side.

Capable of playing anywhere across the front three, Lacazette would add options in attack and also be a more similar replacement for Daniel Sturridge while he's injured, as opposed to Mario Balotelli who is a completely different type of player.

Saido Berahino

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Linked, via MailOnline, with Liverpool since starting the Premier League campaign in good form, West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino certainly fits the profile of player the club are targeting.

After an impressive start to the campaign, which saw the 21-year-old score in five consecutive matches, his form has tailed off of late, mired by off-pitch controversy. He hasn't started for the Baggies this month.

Still, he'd be an option worth looking at if the price was right.