Liverpool Transfer News: Memphis Depay Failure Linked to Daniel Sturridge Injury

PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands believes Daniel Sturridge's prolonged injury problems, and therefore Liverpool's search for a new striker, may have halted the club's quest to sign Memphis Depay.

Manchester United recently confirmed the signing of Depay, leading to Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers suggesting the club wasn't interested, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

Brands suggests Rodgers isn't telling the truth and that the Reds' priorities may have changed when it became clear Sturridge may not be fit in time for next season. Although he didn't chat with Rodgers personally, he did speak with chief executive Ian Ayre, reported by Joe Strange of the MailOnline:

"

I didn't speak with Brendan Rodgers. I had contact with Ian Ayre. I know there were some problems with (Daniel) Sturridge, maybe that changed the decision. I don't know. I'm not in the club of Liverpool. I don't know what the policies are inside.

But Man United were very fast and that changed the decision for Memphis. He made the final decision. He made his choice. We are happy with the transfer to Man United.

"

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Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News summed up many onlookers' reaction to Rodgers' suggestion Liverpool didn't want Depay:

Sturridge could be ruled out until October after surgery on his hip, according to Dominic King of the MailOnline. He has played just 750 minutes in the Premier League this campaign, per WhoScored.com, scoring four goals and providing an assist.

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Most worryingly for Sturridge is the consistency of his problems. He recovers, plays a handful of games and then suffers another problem. This is a player who netted 21 strikes in the Premier League alongside Luis Suarez last year, but he has now become a regular absentee.

Peter Guy of the Liverpool Echo reports Rodgers "has made signing a striker his priority this summer." B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently looked at potential candidates to be added:

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson named the stars he would go after, reported by Sky Sports: "Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and Jackson Martinez would all fit the bill and provide better cover for Daniel Sturridge, who is having his injury problems," said Thompson. "Those guys are all prolific goalscorers in their league. We need to have that blend."

Depay has scored 22 goals in the Eredivisie this season, per Soccerway. He loves to cut in from the left wing but can also play as a striker if needed. Liverpool need to spend big on an individual who hovers around the box, someone who is ready to make a penetrating run and mop up simple chances when they arrive.

As highlighted during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea—in which Liverpool peppered the Blues' box with crosses—adding a natural finisher is a must.

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Rodgers and Liverpool must have been interested in Depay to at least speak with PSV, so supporters may feel irked by the manager's assertion that he was never on the agenda.

The club targeted talented youngsters last summer—bringing in the likes of Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno—so Depay would have fit in at the club. His versatility and natural incisiveness also follows Rodgers' style.

Depay faces the challenge of transitioning from Dutch to English football without ruining his prospects in the process. United's three previous signings from PSV—Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Park Ji-Sung—all managed it brilliantly. However, the Premier League has proved to be a graveyard to the reputation of Dutch imports like Mateja Kezman and Afonso Alves.

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Liverpool fans are unlikely to ever find out just how close they came to signing Depay, but Brands' comments indicate Rodgers isn't being totally honest in public.

Supporters will hope he can make up for this by grabbing one or two top-class signings during the summer. The basis of a quality squad has been put in place at Anfield, but Liverpool need regular match-winners to make the difference, particularly with Sturridge's problems persisting.