Liverpool Summer Transfer Prospects: Loic Remy and Bryan Ruiz

As the start of the new season gets ever so closer, transfer rumours are flying everywhere.

Liverpool after enduring one of the worst season's in recent year now look to rebuild with new boss Roy Hodgson.

One of the main problems that Liverpool encountered last year was the lack of genuine attacking threats when Fernando Torres was unavailable.

Roy Hodgson has apparently identified French striker Loic Remy and Costa Rican "Messi" Bryan Ruiz as potential transfer targets.

Bryan Ruiz:

Roy Hodgson is a big admirer of the 24-year-old Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz. Ruiz plays for FC Twente in the Dutch league and is regarded by many as one of the top players of the Erevidise.

The striker has, so far, amassee 24 goals in 34 appearances for his club side.

Apart from being clinical in front of goal ,the primarily left-footed 6'1" Ruiz has loads of skills and sublime ball control. His is so versatile that he can play up front, on the wings, or as an attacking midfielder.

Such versatility could be of added importance to Liverpool, who lack creativity on the wings. His pace and skill would be a real hazard to defenses, and Ruiz could be employed on either side of Torres and Jovanovic/Remy in a three-pronged attack.

At the rumoured price of about 12m, the Costa Rican could be a real bargain buy by Hodgson.

Loic Remy

Another name strongly linked to Liverpool is that of French striker Loic Remy.

Remy, 23, plays for Nice in France. The 2009/2010 campaign was his best season thus far as he scored 16 goals in 33 appearances.

Remy, like Ruiz, can play on the wings or up front. He has great physical presence with the added bonus of pace and trickery.

He is still not the finished product, but one thing is for sure: Remy is vastly talented and that's what earned him comparisons to none other than Thierry Henry.

Remy would be an excellent addition to the Liverpool side due to his versatility, physical presence and pace.

A fee in the region of 12m would be enough to secure his signature.

Verdict

Both players have very similar style of play as both can play on wings or up front.

If Liverpool are to sign one of them, I would prefer Bryan Ruiz as he is more of a natural finisher than Remy and is left-footed, which would add something different to the team.

But signing both of them is another option if Roy offloads Kuyt, Riera, or Babel.

Both Remy and Ruiz are comparatively young and are massive talents. Signing both of them with Torres's uncertain future and his injury problems could prove to be an excellent long- and short-term move.