Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Xherdan Shaqiri and January Deal Rumours

Liverpool could face major competition in their supposed pursuit of Xherdan Shaqiri, with reports suggesting that Juventus are also very keen on the exciting Bayern Munich winger.

As noted earlier in the week by Will Giles of Metro, the Reds looked to have stolen a march in the race for the Switzerland international, who has failed to make a sustained impact in Bavaria.

But according to Romeo Agresti of Goal.com, the Bianconeri are remaining patient in pursuit of a player that he calls their “top priority target.”

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Here’s a look at why some of European football’s biggest names have been linked with the Bayern star:

Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer has already confirmed that Shaqiri will be on his way out of Bayern in January per Sport1 (h/t Nicholas Goode of the Mail Online), and it’s easy to see why Brendan Rodgers is reportedly pushing on with a deal.

Indeed, the Swiss international would add an intriguing new dynamic to Liverpool’s attacking play. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe takes a closer look at the player’s qualities here:

According to beIN Sports’ Tancredi Palmeri, the Italian champions may well just be a pawn in expediting a move to Anfield:

For Liverpool, that’d be great news. Currently the Reds have a host of intricate, clever manipulators of the ball, but with Raheem Sterling being deployed centrally, they’re lacking a real direct presence from wide areas. Shaqiri is a player who would bring those kinds of qualities to Rodgers’ side in spades.

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The only downside to any potential deal is that the 23-year-old would not be able to lend a hand to Liverpool’s Europa League commitments, per Bleacher Report's German football expert Stefan Bienkowski:

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Despite only playing 48 mins for Bayern in this season's UCL, Xherdan Shaqiri would still be ineligible for Juventus in the competition.

— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) December 28, 2014"

While Shaqiri would add plenty to the Reds’ wide positions, that’s not the only area of the squad that needs bolstering.

After the respective failings of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli since their summer acquisitions, Rodgers may well be on the lookout for a centre-forward, and the club’s hopes of signing Saido Berahino look as though they’ve received a timely boost.

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That’s after West Bromwich Albion’s technical director Terry Burton insisted that the club might have to sell players for big money in the January window if new boss Tony Pulis is to add to other areas of the squad, per James Nursey of The Mirror:

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Tony is a totally realistic football manager.

He tries to win football matches and if he needs to sell somebody to do something else, he will sell them. He will do whatever is best to get results for the club and that could involve any aspect.

"

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When you look at Liverpool’s most prolific Premier League players this campaign, it’s easy to see why Rodgers might be in the market for a striker midseason, per Squawka Football:

It’s debatable as to whether Berahino is the solution to the Reds’ striking woes, however. West Brom would surely command a substantial fee for such a bright English talent, and while the 21-year-old showcased glimpses of his indisputable ability early in the season, it’s questionable as to whether or not he has the skill to become a top-class forward.

He’d certainly be a better option than Jermain Defoe, though. According to Matt Law of the Telegraph, the veteran striker has been offered to the Reds as a short-term solution to their striking problems, with Toronto FC wanting a reported £6 million for his signature.

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While Defoe is a predatory player, he is long past his best and a forward the Reds shouldn’t entertain the prospect of signing. It’s little surprise that Nooruddean Choudry of the Mirror—a Manchester United supporter—is hoping a deal comes off:

It’s only early in the window yet, and although there are perennial defensive concerns in this Liverpool team, it seems that Rodgers is looking to spruce up his attack as a priority.

But after a summer in which the Reds were a little conservative in their targets, you suspect the Anfield faithful will be hoping for a bit more brash ambition midseason.

Names like Shaqiri will do plenty to sate those kinds of desires, but players in the mould of Berahino and Defoe will do quite the opposite as Liverpool look to plot a charge towards the Champions League spots in 2015.