Expectations Of Roy Hodgson's Liverpool In January Transfer Window : An Analysis
Liverpool have been linked with players from all possible first division football leagues across Europe from the Belgian League to the Croatian, and sometimes even with players buying whom, seems next to a dream come true for many.
Finally, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has disclosed some of his plans for the January transfer window.
Although the fact remains that the former Fulham manager remains diplomatic as ever, going by what Hodgson's overall view has been roughly throughout, I have here put forth a qualitative analysis of sorts to have a sneak peek into what the Reds fans may witness in the coming month which promises tireless football and endless drama.
I however would like begin by stating that all of the following are mere speculations and inferences drawn after my own observation and I don't really think that all of them coming true.
Defensive Crisis : Why Enforcements Are Needed And Possible Options
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Although Liverpool have had to pay heavily for buying poorly in this department of late, much of it has not been considered a priority for the Reds because their scoring has let them down startlingly.
Also, Liverpool before Roy Hodgson took over were considered a team which was known for its attacking stints more than defending prowess even though the ever present Pepe Reina managed a brilliant run in between the bars in the interim.
The biggest problems that has led the Reds down is buying cheap defenders who had an attacking flair about them and bar a few in the recent years like Agger and Skrtel, the rest right from Degen to Konchesky have been poor, inconsistent or highly injury prone to say the least. Even Agger and Skrtel had their spells on the sidelines last season which led some ludicrous 90th minute goals in the Champion's League matches leading to Liverpool's elimination from the competition.
Now with Konchesky, bought at left back from Fulham and Jamie Carragher injured for the imminent future, the problems have been laid bare like never before. Even players like Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger have been in and out with injury, leaving the defensive crisis somewhat in a crisis.
Taking all of the above in view, the January window really couldn't come at a better time, although proper re-enforcements may take time in the month itself.
As Hodgson puts it, it may not be till the end of the window that Liverpool finds proper and desirable answers to their problems. Amongst many others, I think one reason for it may be that the clubs stick to their players even if they are willing to business, so that they can set up a price war of sorts (if the player is a star in his present club) and eventually emerge with a bigger revenue from the sales.
Now going by Liverpool's men in charge of the entire process, Roy Hodgson and Damien Comolli's contacts, it can be a little safe to say that those enforcements on any front seem likely from Scandinavian or French links.
Possible enforcements : (Basing on Hodgson's view of buying players who are stars in their respective clubs).
Left Back : Benoît Trémoulinas from Bordaeux FC and Oscar Wendt from FC Copenhagen.
Centre Back : Davide Santon from Inter Milan & Gary Cahill from Bolton Wanderers .
Defensive Mid-Field Role : Yann M'Villa
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As far as this role goes, Liverpool have only been consistently linked with just one name: Rennes mid-fielder Yann M'Vila.
The French player has been touted as a very talented option in the department of the so-called doing the "dirty work"(of tackling and winning back possession) and although a few others like Lassana Diarra, Sakho and a handful others have also come up in the papers, Hodgson's visit in person to see the French man play in a Ligue 1 match lends some degree of validity to the rumor.
However, rumors also suggest interest from a few other clubs and thus the expected price tag is expected to be on the higher note. Now,does Liverpool really need a player of that make ?
Yann M'Vila is a promising lad aged 20. Now, Liverpool has Lucas Leiva, 23 and Jay Spearing, 22 who can be considered as the Red's long term future at the club especially if Roy Hodgson is to stay and his admiration for the two also persists.
Lucas has played for Liverpool in almost all the Premier League matches and has done well in his partnership with Meireles and Gerrard as it happened. Whereas, Spearing, until his injury has been a regular for the Reds in the Europa and talks about a contract extension with the player has been on the cards. Moreover, promising players like Jonjo Shelvey, 18, has also done the sweeper's job at the back of mid-field in spells.
Now keeping all of the above in view , Liverpool FC may not be urged to spend big bucks on such a player especially keeping in mind that a few other sectors really need investment.
However, if Liverpool are able to spare money after meeting their needs,Hodgson may try and correct his horrendous error in the summer market of going for Juventus reject , Christian Poulsen.
Wings and Mid-Field : The Problems That Stand Out
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It can be fair to sum up that barring a few overlapping runs of Glen Johnson, Liverpool FC have been virtually absent when it comes to wing play. Even players like Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole haven't really been upto the mark on a consistent basis, and although the former has improved much after his average start to life at Liverpool, Cole has been disappointing and off the mark, especially when given the job of a left winger.His incessant moves away from his positions has left Liverpool exposed on many an occassion with Konchesky left to cover up, something that has not really yielded fruitful results.
Liverpool has been linked with a lot of players in this area and after both Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson visited games of Lille in the Ligue 1, the name of Eden Hazard has come out more than once. Although the player himself has the admiration of Zinedine Zidane himself and has openly declared his love to play for Arsenal, it tough to imagine how he could feature in those world-class sides where already youngster are in plenty and are doing the same job as he does at Lille.
Thus, Liverpool may be a perfect fit for the player in the footballing terms. However, other problems may arise. Lille are currently leading the Ligue 1 table and would not want to sell their stars like Hazard who are pivotal to their chances of the League win.
The Lille star has also said that he would not fancy a move away in January itself and could consider a move in summer.
However, Liverpool are desperately in need of creativity in mid-field and pace down the wings and NESV has already made it clear that they wouldn't mind paying even 20m if the correct player was available.
Hodgson though still believes that signing a striker is a priority and a possible marquee signing thereby may leave a relatively small sum left to be invested in wingers, especially after he has recently declared that there may not be a mass exodus from the club in January.
All this leaves open the options of Liverpool going for the following players :(leaving out Eden Hazard who as foresaid could be Liverpool's first priority but priced out of the market),
Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan Athletic, Ashley Young from Aston Villa (only for an affordable price), Dimitri Payet from St. Etienne, Antoine Greizman from Real Sociedad and Elijero Elia from Hamburg (who as reports say could be available for as low as 3m! He should surely be a great signing at that price.)
Also it must be said that in this department, Liverpool has quality players in the academy too but most of them are too young and need a greater maturity to break into the first team. So it would be fair to assume that the likes of Suso and Sterling may just be kept in mind before anyone is bought in so that Liverpool can allow space for those reputed academy kids to graduate into regular first team players maybe 3-4 years down the line.
Strikers : The Most Imminent Buy For Liverpool In The Winter Window
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After studying the rumors, Hodgson's buys and even Comolli's influence, Liverpool's choice at the centre forward position atleast can easily be imagined.
(Also Liverpool don't really have anybody other than the French man David N'gog who really can break into the first team on a regular basis from the academy in at least the coming 2-3 years, so they have no real dilemma while making choices upfront.)
Now, to justify the foresaid , let us have a glance back at the rumors in this department in the summer. Roy Hodgson has openly admitted to following both Carlton Cole and Ola Toivonen. Also there has been links suggesting a loan move for Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich.
Even after Hodgson went to see a Bolton Wanderers match, some reports have linked Liverpool with Bolton hitman Johan Elmander, who may be on the wrong side age-wise as NESV suggest but surely has the same attributes as foresaid.
All of the above along with a few others have one characteristics in common, they are all tall and strong players who are capable of winning the aerial battle in direct play and long balls. Even Hodgson's influence on another similar player, Bobby Zamora at Fulham has recieved rave reviews.
Now Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish's visit to watch Lille has linked Liverpool to yet another player whom Hodgson is rumored to have an inclination towards, Lille frontman, Gervinho.
The Ivorian strikers sure have made some mark in the Premier League with Drogba and Kalou in patches, and Hodgson may easily opt for one promising star from the heap.
Below I have listed the strikers that Liverpool may well bid for if Hodgson and Comolli keep the same trend going.
Gervinho from Lille, Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich, Ola Toivonen from PSV and if luck favors a bit even the highly rated Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg. All of whom are a reputed to be huge aerial threats bar Gervinho, who is known for his superlative close control, something that Comolli must have considered while at Spurs and signing Dimitar Berbatov! However, unlike Berbatov, the Ivorian has a better work rate too!
Come January I forsee Liverpool delve in the market for something like this, even if the buys come as late as Hodgson says. What do you say ?
