Liverpool Transfer Deadline: Dalglish Needs Depth in Final Hours

Liverpool FC manager Kenny Dalglish has been a busy boy during the exciting summer transfer window, but the Reds legend needs a few more pieces to challenge an all-time Manchester United club and their free-spending noisy neighbors, Manchester City, for a Premiere League title.

Despite several new players, the team is lacking in depth at midfield and forward. The recent sale/loans of Alberto Aquilani, Joe Cole and possibly Raul Meireles may free up some cash, but it leaves the team very thin in the middle of the pitch.

Recent signings Charlie Adam and Stuart Downing have played excellently in the center and left midfield spots, but Jordan Henderson (despite a goal last week) has failed to make the impact he was expected to.

Liverpool needs an athletic winger on the right side to take his place in the starting 11 if they wish to compete, as well as some depth to replace the outgoing mids.

Dalglish has been loosely linked to Dutch flanker and Barcelona benchwarmer Ibrahim Afellay as well as Argentine international Mauro Zarate. Both would be keen additions that could match the level of athleticism brought by Luis Suarez.

A more realistic option that has surfaced of late is Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun. This move might not be as sexy as Zarate or Afellay, but it would definitely improve the club's options at attacking midfield.

Luis Suarez, despite his knack for diving, has made a huge impact since coming to the club in place of Fernando Torres. Fellow new striker Andy Carroll has underwhelmed up front, but still has time to grow into his role as a long-ball target. Unfortunately, that is as far the depth chart goes at forward for the Reds.

The team desperately needs more attacking options to survive an EPL season. Suarez is excellent, but he cannot be relied upon all season long.

Former LFC man Craig Bellamy has been reported as heading to Anfield for a physical, and Daniel Sturridge has been included in the Chelsea rumors with Benayoun.

Bellamy played sparingly for Liverpool in the 2006-07 season and has traveled quite a bit since then seeing time for West Ham, Manchester City and Cardiff City.

Sturridge has seen most of his playing time on the the England U-21 team and is young talent full of potential. Both would be perfect additions, adding needed depth at forward.

As far as the back line is concerned, the team seems to be two deep at each spot. The starters (Enrique, Carragher, Agger, Kelly) have backups that could start at most any other club (Flanagan, Coats, Skrtel, Aurelio). The signing of Sebastian Coats will probably be the last one for the back third.

The squad is prepped for a return to the top 4 this season as it looks, but to challenge the Manchesters and Chelsea for a league title, they must make a few more signings today. Keep you fingers on one hand crossed while the others update all of the live blogs. Cheers!