Where Should Liverpool Strengthen in the Next Two Weeks?

As Roy Hodgson’s Reds drew 1-1 with Arsenal at Anfield, Liverpool showed that they are still a very good team. The defending was excellent, the midfield played well, and David N’Gog was decent at times, especially when taking his goal, a fabulous finish.

But Liverpool still have issues that need addressing in order to improve their team, and their squad on a whole.

Another striker is top of the priorities.

Although I want David N’Gog and Daniel Pacheco to carry on getting chances to play up front (and I encourage it to happen in the Carling Cup and FA Cup), to finish in the top four or better Liverpool need another decent striker—someone who can score regularly when Torres is injured, but doesn’t mind being on the bench when Torres can play (although again, this striker could play in the cups).

Names being thrown in the hat have been Carlton Cole, Bobby Zamora, Craig Bellamy, Loic Remy, and Peter Crouch, as well as others. We should not go above £11m for this striker, so Zamora, Cole, or Remy would be the ideal choices.

Zamora would be my preferred choice as Hodgson already knows how to get the best out of him, and he provides a plan B as a target man. He would be more expensive as Hughes would probably not want to part with him, but he is certainly a good choice.

Another place that Liverpool should strengthen is left back. Yes, Fabio Aurelio has re-signed, and that was a good choice. But he should be back up for another left back (but not Emiliano Insua). But Aurelio will stil get his fair share of first team football along with a new left back, who should be able to get forward but be able to defend first and foremost.

Wayne Bridge, Carlos Salcido, Paul Konchesky, Reto Ziegler, and Maynor Figueroa have been the main people linked with a move to Anfield. Carlos Salcido is the cheapest and has plenty of experience, plus loves getting forward and has a sweet left foot (seen at the 2010 World Cup, where he impressed with Mexico). If not, then Paul Konchesky (Hodgson knows him and he is cheap) or Wayne Bridge (Kolarov preferred at City and is homegrown).

The final main position that Liverpool should address is left midfield/wing. Milan Jovanovic has been recruited and impressed against Arsenal, but he can play up front also and would be decent squad depth as well as playing. So someone else should be bought so that there would be three on the left: Babel, Jovanovic, and someone, and then three on the right: Kuyt, Maxi, and El Zahr.

Wingers linked with Liverpool have been Shaun Wright Phillips, Arda Turan, Alexander Hleb, and Zolton Gera. Of these choices, Arda Turan looks to have the most talent, and at only £10m from Galatasaray, the left winger (who can also play right) wants to play for Liverpool having supported them as his second favourite team behind Galatasaray.

So, to conclude, Liverpool have had much more optimism under Roy Hodgson going into the new season after Rafa Benitez left. But if these additions were made, it would strengthen those weaker positions and the entire squad altogether, making fourth place or better just that little bit more do-able.