Building a Fantasy XI of Players Linked with Liverpool over the Past 12 Months
Boasting a mega-rich ownership, a passionate fanbase and a perennial transition state, Liverpool are subject to transfer speculation week in, week out—with some links more plausible than other.
Over the past 12 months, the Reds will have been linked with numerous players, with the conveyor belt that is Fenway Sports Group's recruitment policy heralding a major overhaul in every summer under former manager Brendan Rodgers.
But which reasonably credible rumoured targets would make the best fantasy lineup?
Here we've named our one to 11 of players linked with Liverpool over the past 12 months, with the only stipulation being that they must not have joined another side on a permanent transfer since.
Kicking off with Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn, this selection includes a number of talents that would flourish in Jurgen Klopp's current squad—with many representing a significant upgrade on their Liverpool counterpart.
GK: Timo Horn
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Horn was linked with a move to Merseyside by German publication Bild (h/t TalkSPORT) at the beginning of November, with Klopp said to be "considering signing a new shot-stopper to provide competition for Simon Mignolet."
The 22-year-old Cologne goalkeeper is thought to have a release clause of around £6.5 million in his current contract, which runs until 2019, and this ensures that he would be a bargain signing for the Reds.
Strong, aggressive, authoritative and with great scope for development, Horn could progress to become a dominant No. 1 in the Premier League.
An upgrade on Simon Mignolet? Yes.
RB: Daryl Janmaat
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With Liverpool's pursuit of Nathaniel Clyne a poorly kept secret for much of 2015, the rumour mill produced little in terms of substantial right-back links beyond the former Southampton man, but the Newcastle Chronicle suggested back in March that Rodgers had "run the rule" over Newcastle United's Daryl Janmaat.
With Mark Douglas claiming that the Reds' scouting team had watched Janmaat throughout 2014/15, the Dutchman could have been an alternative had Clyne opted to join fellow suitor Manchester United.
Though enduring a muted campaign with the Magpies in 2015/16, Janmaat is an established European talent, and his attacking prowess would have suited Rodgers' wing-back system perfectly.
A reasonable fallback on Clyne, but not possessing the all-round quality of Liverpool's £12.5 million man.
An upgrade on Nathaniel Clyne? No, but would provide welcome cover at right-back.
CB: Marc Bartra
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Centre-back has been a problem area for Liverpool for much of the current decade, with Sami Hyypia's departure, Jamie Carragher's retirement and Daniel Agger's decline all contributing to this dearth in quality.
With the Reds looking to temper this in the summer, Pete Jenson of the Mail indicated that they would look to profit from Barcelona defender Marc Bartra's lowly release clause, vying with Tottenham Hotspur and Porto to secure the cultured, high-potential 24-year-old's services for a cut-price £9 million.
Liverpool added just one centre-back to their ranks this summer—Joe Gomez—and with Bartra continuing to play a bit-part role in Catalonia, making just five appearances in La Liga so far this season, they would be wise to revisit this interest if possible.
An upgrade on Martin Skrtel? Yes.
CB: Benedikt Howedes
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"A move abroad excites me. England would for sure be an interesting destination," Benedikt Howedes told Bild (h/t Goal.com) in October. "Currently I am with Schalke. There are no deals sorted. But of course, for a footballer there are some clubs that are more interesting than others."
The Schalke defender went on to name Liverpool as a "club with great tradition and values," with the Premier League "very fortunate to have someone like Klopp" in their midst, suggesting he could be interested in a move to Anfield. If this is the case, the Reds should pursue him as a viable reinforcement to his back line.
Howedes' key attribute is his versatility—able and willing to play all across the defence—while he has significant top-level experience as an aggressive, front-footed defender. A prime target for Klopp.
An upgrade on Mamadou Sakho? No, but he would be a useful addition.
LB: Lucas Digne
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French left-back Lucas Digne was linked with a move to Anfield in July, with the Mail's Dominic King claiming that "it is unclear whether Liverpool would look to pursue a loan or permanent deal [for Digne]," but he had been "discussed as an option" to compete with Alberto Moreno on the left side of defence.
The 22-year-old eventually opted to join AS Roma on a season-long loan, spurning the advances of the Reds, and has started the 2015/16 campaign well, making 11 Serie A appearances so far. The Rome side are currently sat in fourth place in the table—just three points off league leaders Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Moreno has improved significantly under Klopp, and while Digne would offer Liverpool a more reliable, defensive-minded option at left-back, it is unlikely he would supplant the Spaniard as first choice.
An upgrade on Alberto Moreno? No.
CDM: William Carvalho
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Before a serious shin injury derailed the start of his 2015/16 campaign, Sporting CP midfielder William Carvalho was touted as a possible target to many of Europe's leading sides—including Liverpool, with David Maddock of the Mirror reporting their interest back in April.
Having fully recovered to make five appearances in Primeira Liga so far this season, Carvalho has returned to the high standard of output that made him a star of Portugal's run to the Under-21 European Championship final over the summer, continuing to assert his dominance in the Portuguese top flight.
A supreme physical talent, the 23-year-old is comfortable both breaking up play from deep and charging forward in possession, and he would be an outstanding addition to Klopp's dynamic midfield in the holding role.
An upgrade on Lucas Leiva? Yes.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan
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Given Klopp's history with Borussia Dortmund, the German's arrival at Liverpool heralded an inevitable deluge of links with former players—perhaps none more so than Ilkay Gundogan.
Metro's George Bellshaw relayed word from Italian publication Tuttosport earlier in November, claiming that "the Reds will compete with Juventus and Barcelona to land the German midfielder and they can seal his services for roughly £17.6 million."
While the veracity of these claims is questionable, Gundogan would add significantly to Klopp's midfield, with his confidence in possession, dribbling ability and linkup play making him an astute partner for compatriot Emre Can. At £17.6 million, the 24-year-old would be a bargain signing.
An upgrade on James Milner? Yes.
CM: Granit Xhaka
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After developing into one of the Bundesliga's finest young central midfielders, Borussia Monchengladbach's Granit Xhaka is said to be on Klopp's radar at Liverpool, with Bild (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror) claiming that he could be a £20 million addition in the middle of the park at Anfield.
A bullish, all-round midfield talent, the 23-year-old has the quality to thrive in the Premier League, pairing defensive strength with creative ability—and a considerable passing range—and these attributes would suit Klopp's side.
The prospect of Xhaka operating in a three-man midfield alongside any of Gundogan, Can, Carvalho and Jordan Henderson, for example, is compelling.
An upgrade on Emre Can? No, but a significant upgrade on Joe Allen.
RW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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Perhaps the only kernel of logic in links between Liverpool and Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the Gabonese's relationship with Klopp, who brought him to the Westfalenstadion from Saint-Etienne.
But with Paris Saint-Germain said to be plotting a big-money move Aubameyang back in October, French publication Le10Sport (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror) rumoured the Reds as a possible rival in the chase for a forward who has scored 15 goals in 13 Bundesliga games so far this season.
Whether Merseyside is a realistic destination for Aubameyang or not, supporters will be hoping that Klopp's influence could persuade the versatile attacking option to follow him and bolster Liverpool's forward line.
An upgrade on Roberto Firmino? On a par, and would be an invaluable addition.
CF: Alexandre Lacazette
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In 2014/15, Alexandre Lacazette was the toast of European football: A left-field candidate for Europe's most-feared striker, the Frenchman scored 27 goals in 33 Ligue 1 games—the most of any player in the French top flight.
This, inevitably, led to links between Lacazette and Liverpool in August, with the Telegraph sourcing L'Equipe in claiming that the Reds "could make a move before the end of the month." Naturally, this move failed to transpire, with Rodgers having already recruited Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.
The 2015/16 campaign has not been as much of a cakewalk for Lacazette, who has scored just five goals in 12 Ligue 1 appearances so far, making Klopp's leading attacking options of Benteke, Firmino and Daniel Sturridge seem like a more attractive reality.
An upgrade on Daniel Sturridge? No.
LW: Leroy Sane
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"[Klopp] is currently considering his options in terms of strengthening during the January transfer window with Schalke winger Leroy Sane among those being monitored," wrote the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce this month, validating previous reports linking Liverpool with Germany's latest young star.
Sane, who has become a key player under Schalke manager Andre Breitenreiter this season, was subject to an £11 million bid from the Reds over the summer, according to Bild (h/t Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror), and Pearce's claims suggest that this has not deterred FSG—despite a change in manager.
With Klopp's squad short of pacy, direct wide options, Sane would be a great addition, and he could develop into the ideal replacement for summer departure Raheem Sterling.
He would, however, face a battle to dislodge Philippe Coutinho as Klopp's first-choice option on the left-hand side of the attack.
An upgrade on Philippe Coutinho? No, but a much-needed reinforcement on the flanks.
Statistics via WhoScored.com and Transfermarkt.co.uk.
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