Liverpool FC Transfers: 5 Players Kenny Dalglish Should Add This Summer

Liverpool needs to strengthen its squad in both quality and depth to contend with Europe’s elite clubs again.  The obvious strategy is to purchase talented youth with the potential for resale value but with the international window not yet open, Liverpool’s focus has solely been on Premier League players.  However, Liverpool missed out on Phil Jones and Ashley Young, who both opted to play for Manchester United. 

Liverpool’s focus must now be on bringing in the best European young talent.  With the European transfer window about to open, Liverpool needs to look to other leagues to find players.  I have selected five players from the Premier League and five international players whom Liverpool should sign.  

1. Leighton Baines/Aly Cissokho – Left Back

Both players have the potential to be Liverpool greats.  Baines is slightly older than Cissokho, but he is experienced in the Premier League and has established himself at the international level.  Liverpool will struggle to pry away one of Everton’s top players though.  Baines provides class and consistency, which is exactly what Liverpool need to challenge next year while also nurturing Jack Robinson until he is ready.

Cissokho is ready to play at the top level now, but is also young enough to develop into one of the best left backs in the world.  He is a riskier move because he currently plays in France, and it usually takes time for players to adjust to a different league.  Cissokho would provide a long-term fix at left back though, so he might be worth the risk.

Either player is a bid, and even though I would prefer Baines I believe Cissokho is a much more realistic option.  I just hope Liverpool can snap one of them up quickly.

2. Scott Dann/Cristian Zapata – Center Back

Dann and Zapata are two more great players who would fit right into the current Liverpool squad.  Both players would like to play for Liverpool as well.  Dann is coming off a serious injury, but if he can prove his long-term fitness then he would be a great buy.  At only 24, Dann should be a solid defender for nearly a decade.  The fact that he is English, in fact from Liverpool, supports his cause because he would count as a homegrown player.

Zapata has developed into one of the better defenders in Serie A over the past few seasons.  He and Alexis Sanchez have been a revelation for Udinese, and with Sanchez looking to leave it might be wise for Zapata to look for another team as well.  Like Cissokho, Liverpool need to weigh whether Zapata’s price is worth the risk of whether he can transition to the Premier League.  Zapata has spoken of how close he is to Liverpool, which means he could be a Liverpool player very soon.

Both players have potential to be greats, so Liverpool should whomever is cheaper.  If Dann looks like he will have permanent damage from his injury, then Liverpool should opt for Zapata though.

3. Charlie Adam/Javi Martinez – Center Mid

Both Adam and Martinez have shown hints of greatness.  However, both players need to play with world-class players around them.  Adam seemed to be the brightest spot in an inconsistent Blackpool side.  He played many sublime passes and took many immaculate set pieces. 

The main concern with Adam is whether he can continue to improve when he transfers to a bigger club, or whether he can only work as a big fish in a small pond.  I believe that with proper fitness experts around him and the support of great teammates, he can be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Martinez will be one of Spain’s best midfielders in the upcoming years.  He has already proven that he is one of the best players in a great Spain Under-21 side, but even more impressive is that he was selected to travel with Spain for the World Cup in 2010.  Since Martinez has yet to go to either Barcelona or Real Madrid, there is a chance of luring him away from his team. Athletic Bilbao will not want to sell Martinez, but with his potential Liverpool should try very hard to sign him.

Charlie Adam’s transfer has been difficult, and if Liverpool cannot sign him, then Dalglish and Comolli should focus all of their effort on Javi Martinez.

4. Adam Johnson/Juan Mata – Left Wing

Manchester City is not keen on selling Adam Johnson unless City can find someone to replace him.  City is especially opposed to selling to a rival team, but if Liverpool put in a good bid then Liverpool should be able to get him.  City has been interested in both Alexis Sanchez and Juan Mata, and with Johnson already looking surplus to City’s squad he could be on his way out if another winger joins.  Johnson has shown his ability, and if he played on the left wing he could provide excellent crosses for Suarez and Carroll.

Juan Mata is an incredible footballer.  He has already featured in the Spanish squad that contains some of the best players in the world.  He and Martinez will be two of the players leading Spain to success in the upcoming years.  Valencia are interested in selling Mata this summer, but Valencia want top dollar for him. 

Liverpool needs to get this bid figured out very quickly to ward off interest from other clubs.  Liverpool needs to focus on signing both Mata and Martinez.

5. Connor Wickham/Adrian – Striker

Connor Wickham, at only 18, is certainly a player for the future.  However, Liverpool needs to buy him now before another team snaps him up.  Liverpool can loan him out until he is ready to play at the top level, but he is not far away.  He would be a great understudy to Carroll as they are both physically imposing forwards.  Wickham would be a perfect back up striker to Carroll after Kuyt retires.

Adrian has really proved his potential during the Under-21 European Championship this year.  The Spainard has an eye for goal and is a true goal poacher.  Liverpool lack a players like this, and Adrian would be a great player to play in rotation with other strikers.  Like both Mata and Martinez, Adrian does not play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona so there is a chance of luring him out of Spain.  In addition, Adrian’s current team, Deportivo La Coruña, was relegated this season so he could be purchases for relatively cheap.