Liverpool Transfers: 4 Rival Players That Would Strengthen the Reds Squad

As we close in on the end of the transfer window for the Premier League, Liverpool are linked with a fresh batch of players such as Yossi Benayoun and Craig Bellamy—players who have seemingly divided fan opinion somewhat on whether they would be a good fit for the Reds at this stage and whether or not they would actually benefit the playing squad.

The purpose of this article, to be clear from the outset, is not to suggest which players we will sign or are even interested in, but just four that would improve the Liverpool squad.

My reasons for doing this are not so idle as to be a game of football manager or showing off my fantasy football team but instead to offer something of a comparison as to where I feel our main rivals for a top four spot (Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham) are still stronger than Liverpool—or at least as strong in a different way. I have disregarded Manchester United in the interests of keeping things at least remotely realistic; the number of players who have transferred between the two clubs make it pointless trying to pick a player who one day might make the unlikely switch.

Though these names have not been linked with Liverpool, I have tried to keep it at least somewhat realistic; clearly Fernando Torres is not going to re-sign for the Reds nor Sergio Aguero with his massive wages! Obviously, it could be argued that so infrequently do major transfers happen in England between the top sides that none of these deals could happen.... but still, the point of comparison between teams remains.

One player from each of the four teams has been selected; let me know by commenting below if you agree with my selections.

Arsenal: Alex Song

Alex Song, ridiculous hair aside, is a talented midfield player who has suffered somewhat as a result of having to do two jobs at once.

Primarily seen as Arsenal's attempt at a defensive midfielder, Song is also expected to use his superior physical prowess to make up an additional attacking player, arriving late in opposition boxes and getting on to loose balls and anticipating crosses.

Doing one job or the other at a time Song could be a star of the league, he is entirely unafraid of putting the boot in when necessary, and his short simple passing game means he is very effective as a holding player.

At some point, Liverpool are going to need to look at giving Lucas some serious competition for his place, though, at present, he is a natural pick for the first time, and a player like Song in the squad would give the option of playing either alongside or instead of the Brazilian.

Chelsea: Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool's attacking players have already shown this season that they are capable of scoring and creating in equal measures, while the midfielders in this season's squad are looking more capable of getting their names regularly on the scoresheet than any previous squad the Reds have had.

Diversity is key in attack, and having someone just a little bit "different" can sometimes make the difference between one point or three, and it is here that I feel Liverpool might just need a different kind of forward at some point this season.

Carroll is great aerially, and once he is firing on all cylinders, he will be a threat from any position, though he tends to remain central and just a few yards deeper than the central defenders.

Kuyt and Suarez both work the flanks, drop deep to pick up possession and are happy to swap with wide players to allow for creativity in the final third—but with David Ngog likely to move before the transfer window shuts, Liverpool don't really have at the moment a striker who will more often than not just sit on the shoulder of the last defender and look to run in behind the defence at every opportunity.

Daniel Sturridge is that kind of striker, and he (or someone like him) who has that real direct mentality in the final third—arguably the kind of striker Liverpool had hoped Ngog would end up being—could be an important addition to the Reds' squad.

Manchester City: Micah Richards

I'm a big fan of Micah Richards and believe in time he will be one of the finest central defenders in the league, presuming he continues his development with regards to positional awareness and good decision-making.

Here and now, he is a reliable right back who, although being somewhat reliant on pace and power, is good with the ball at his feet and is not afraid to get forward quickly.

Kelly and Johnson are two fantastic right backs in my eyes, but both have suffered with injuries; I'm not suggesting we need to go and buy another player to cover them, especially with Jon Flanagan making inroads towards the first team. But the versatility of a player like Richards in being able to play centrally or at full back makes him, for me, a more attractive prospect than having a Martin Skrtel as a third-choice centre back and an out-of-position emergency right back.

Tottenham Hotspur: Aaron Lennon

Truthfully speaking, there are not many Spurs players any more that I would have at Liverpool.

Rafael van der Vaart is a talented player, but we are pretty spoilt for choice in the creative midfield area at the moment with Gerrard, Henderson, Meireles, Shelvey and even Kuyt and Suarez all getting turns at the role.

Gareth Bale on the left is a good player, but with Downing proving one of our strongest players at present and a massive fee to take into consideration, would he be a likely Reds signing?

Other than that, you are probably looking at Tom Huddlestone or Aaron Lennon as decent players, and since Song was selected for central midfield already from Arsenal, I will go with Lennon.

He's not always a reliable crosser of the ball, but Lennon has the pace and tricks to worry any left back in the league. Liverpool's style being somewhat different to that of Spurs means Lennon would not be asked to make as many crosses as he has to try at Tottenham. Instead, he would be able to put his dribbling attributes to their best use and supply the likes of Suarez with passes to feet.

Playing from the opposite flank, Lennon would be a massive danger when cutting infield at pace and looking to shoot on his favoured right foot.