Liverpool FC Transfers: 5 Players Kenny Dalglish Should Sign This Summer
Liverpool needs to have a perfect summer transfer window. Dalglish needs to sign talented youngsters who will have a long-term impact on the club. He also needs to sign proven and experienced players who are ready to compete next season. With the Jordan Henderson deal already completed, there are still a few players Dalglish needs to sign.
These are the five players Liverpool needs to sign to ensure short-term and long-term success:
Leighton Baines
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Lifelong Liverpool supporter and rising England International, Leighton Baines would be an amazing purchase for Liverpool. Baines, along with Liverpool's Martin Skrtel, played every minute of the Premier League this season, so consistency is not an issue. Baines has also proved his skill when Fabio Capello selected him to play for England.
The stumbling block is that he plays for Everton. David Moyes has already said he would not sell Baines to Liverpool and he said he would not sell him cheaply. In addition, Manchester City want Baines and City has the money to buy him at any cost.
However, Dalglish needs to try his hardest to sign Baines because of his skill, experience, potential and durability. At age 26, Baines is experienced but also has a few years ahead of him. His speed, defending and crossing ability made him one of the stand out players of last season, and as a Liverpool supporter he should choose Liverpool over other teams if multiple teams offer enough money.
Dalglish needs to use all of his charisma to persuade Moyes to sell Baines to his city rivals though.
Scott Dann
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Another lifelong Liverpool supporter, Birmingham's defender, Scott Dann, would be an ideal center-back. Many Liverpool supporters were disappointed about the imminent transfer of Blackburn's Phil Jones to Manchester United, but this could be a blessing in disguise. Jones, at age 19, will most likely be a great center-back, but he is not fully developed. Dann, at age 24, is experienced but also still has a large part of his career to play.
Dann's ability can be seen through Birmingham's collapse. Dann went out injured in January and Birmingham's season took a nose-dive. Birmingham's poor form led to its eventual relegation. This is terrible news for Birmingham and its fans, but this could be a great opportunity for Dann to move to his boyhood club. Birmingham's relegation reduces Dann's fee enough that Liverpool might be willing to take a risk on him.
Dann's durability is his only issue, but if he can pass a medical and get a good run of games he should be able to retain a starting place. Dann is the ideal long-term replacement for Jamie Carragher.
Juan Mata
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Liverpool need to sign Juan Mata as soon as possible. He is one of the most talented Spanish youngsters and his price will most likely jump after the Under-21 European Championships.
Valencia still has financial issues, so they are looking to sell Mata to the highest bidder this summer. However, Liverpool are looking to buy him at a bargain price. This is the perfect scenario for a long and drawn out transfer struggle between the two clubs. Manchester City are also reportedly looking at Mata, so City could swoop in and steal him.
Liverpool need to sign Mata because of his immense talent and, at only 23, he still has a long time to develop into an even better player. He already has the ability to make a huge impact in the Liverpool squad and with the potential front three of Mata, Suarez and Carroll, Liverpool would be unstoppable next year and in the future.
Stewart Downing
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I originally wanted Liverpool to sign Ashley Young from Aston Villa, but with Downing's fine form and Young's desire to play for Manchester United, Downing would be a much better choice for Liverpool. Downing is left-footed like Mata, but he can also play along the right wing. Downing has been playing really well for Aston Villa this season, and his performances did not go unnoticed.
Many top clubs in England want to secure Downing's services, while Aston Villa is still fighting to hold onto him. Aston Villa will struggle to keep Downing though because he admitted he aspires to play in Europe at the club level. However, he does not sound as adamant as Ashley Young about playing Champions League football next season.
This is important because Young appears to be content playing at United without the guarantee of a starting place in the squad. Liverpool cannot offer playing in Europe for next season, but the club can guarantee a starting place to Downing. This may prove to be more important to him to solidify himself as a regular in the England team.
Downing is a superb winger, and with about five years left in his career, he should provide Liverpool with plenty of time to sign young and quality wingers to work their way up into the first team.
Connor Wickham
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Connor Wickham has long been touted as England's next great striker. Wickham is only 18 years old and has loads of potential. He currently plays for Ipswich Town in the Football League Championship. Even though Wickham has a lot of developing to do, it is important that Liverpool snap him up soon.
If Liverpool do not sign him this summer then there is a good chance that he will move to another club either in January or next summer (let alone moving to another club this summer).
Wickham is not quite ready for the EPL, but Liverpool can loan him back to Ipswich for a season or two to let him develop further. Although Andy Carroll is young, Dirk Kuyt is moving closer to the end of his career and Liverpool potentially transferred N'Gog to Sunderland as a part of the Jordan Henderson deal. Suarez can fill as striker if need be, but Liverpool still need to sign a striker for the future.
