Moves Liverpool Should and Should Not Make in the Summer Transfer Window
The upcoming summer transfer window will likely be another busy one for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who could now be drawing up potential targets ahead of the season's end.
With the Reds making a concerted push for Champions League qualification in the Premier League once more, Rodgers will need to bolster a squad that so floundered in Europe's elite competition earlier this season.
But who should Liverpool sign, and who should they avoid?
Here are three players Rodgers should target, and three he should ignore in the upcoming summer transfer window, including Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Yes: Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United)
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While Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe have both impressed at right wing-back for Liverpool this season in Rodgers' 3-4-2-1 formation, the Ulsterman would be wise to identify a more long-term fixture for this position in the summer, with the pair more suited to attacking roles.
This could come in the form of Newcastle United man Daryl Janmaat, who has been linked with a move by Mark Douglas of the Newcastle Chronicle.
Douglas claims: "Liverpool have run the rule over [Janmaat], whose fine first season in the Premier League has attracted heavyweight interest."
After a £5 million move from Feyenoord last summer, Janmaat has so far scored one goal and made six assists in 29 Premier League games.
On creative full-back terms, Janmaat is behind only Everton's Leighton Baines, who has made eight assists.
Having played as a right wing-back for Netherlands at the World Cup in 2014, Janmaat would be a perfect solution for Rodgers in this role.
No: Dani Alves (Barcelona)
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According to Simon Osborn of Metro, who relays words from Catalan newspaper Sport, Liverpool are looking to sign soon-to-be free agent Dani Alves this summer.
Osborn claims: "Liverpool have opened talks with the right-back and are expected to make a firm offer."
The Barcelona right-back does represent the profile of player Rodgers will require in the right wing-back role, due to his attacking prowess.
Alves has made 1.1 key passes and 1.2 successful cross on average per La Liga game this season, with this combined contribution more than regular Liverpool right-wing-back options Markovic and Ibe.
However, at 31 years old and likely on a considerable wage at Barcelona, Alves would not suit the profile of signing that Liverpool require.
Yes: Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
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Liverpool are likely to be in the market for a central midfielder in the summer, with Steven Gerrard set to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season, while The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe recently told Anfield HQ (h/t This is Anfield) that Lucas Leiva may also depart Merseyside ahead of 2015/16.
With this in mind, Liverpool should make Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin their top priority.
Former Reds man Danny Murphy recently told talkSPORT that Schneiderlin would be an ideal replacement for Gerrard, detailing: "He’s got Premier League experience and wouldn’t need time to adjust."
Schneiderlin showcased his credentials perfectly in Southampton's recent 1-1 draw away to Chelsea, in which he made a phenomenal 10 tackles, nine interceptions and posted the highest passing accuracy of any player to last the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, with 87.5 percent.
The 25-year-old would provide Liverpool with the solid base that their midfield desperately needs, while also displaying the requisite culture in possession.
No: Yoann Gourcuff (Olympique Lyonnais)
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While Liverpool will need to add bodies to their midfield ranks in the summer, Rodgers would be wise to focus primarily on quality over quantity.
This should see the manager rule out a Metro-speculated move for Yoann Gourcuff.
Ben Grounds quotes Gourcuff's agent Didier Poulmaire, who spoke to Italian media outlet SportMediaset: "In any transfer market, some foreign clubs come knocking at the door for Yoann. In the past it was Manchester City, while this year, it’s Liverpool."
Gourcuff's contract expires at the end of the season, and would be available on a free transfer.
The 28-year-old has scored three goals and made four assists in 16 Ligue 1 appearances this season, averaging at 1.2 key passes per game.
However, while Gourcuff is an accomplished and elegant playmaker, his languid style of play would jar dramatically with that of Rodgers' high-intensity Liverpool outfit.
Yes: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven)
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Liverpool finished the 2013/14 Premier League season with a goal tally of 101 and, while this term still has nine games to go, the Reds' return of just 43 goals in 2014/15 underlines a distinct lack of firepower.
Furthermore, as Bascombe hints that strikers Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert could all leave the club in the summer, Rodgers is likely to target a goalscorer or two in the summer.
This could come in the form of PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay.
Simon Mullock of the Mirror recently suggested that: "Liverpool look in pole position to snatch [Depay] from under the noses of arch-rivals Manchester United."
With 16 goals in 23 Eredivisie games this season so far, the 21-year-old is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe, as well as making more key passes per game (two) than any Liverpool player this season other than Raheem Sterling (2.2).
While the left-sided Depay is not a natural centre-forward, he could surely help provide goals in a fast-paced Liverpool side next season.
No: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)
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Following a BBC Sport-reported outburst, claiming France "does not deserve" PSG, Ibrahimovic was swiftly linked with a move to Liverpool by Metro's Will Giles.
Giles claims: "Liverpool have been made the bookies’ favourites ahead of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to seal a sensational transfer deal for [Ibrahimovic]."
While this is likely the most cynical and sensationalist Liverpool transfer rumour this season, either way Ibrahimovic should not be considered an option for Rodgers.
Although the Reds would appreciate a tally similar to his 14-goal, 20-game Ligue 1 haul of this season, Ibrahimovic's individualistic style, waning age at 33 and his BBC-reported wage of €14.6 million per year would all prove stumbling blocks in his assimilation on Merseyside.
Signing Ibrahimovic would likely replicate the problems Rodgers has experienced with Balotelli this season.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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