Liverpool FC Want Leroy Fer from FC Twente as Lucas Leiva's Replacement

Just as Lucas Leiva—Liverpool FC's most underrated player—had started showing signs of maturity, bossing even the best midfielders in the Premier League, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarterfinal at Stamford Bridge.

Clearly, Liverpool have been alarmed by the loss and have thus far only revoked the clause of Jonjo Shelvey (who was on loan at Blackpool) to bring the player back to Anfield. However, Shelvey is clearly not a player in the mould of Lucas and was excelling in his short spell with the Tangerines in a more attacking role.

Therefore, the only player that Liverpool could logically ask to play that role would be Jay Spearing (who showed promise in his performances towards the end of last season) or maybe Jordan Henderson or Steven Gerrard after he comes back from injury.

However, if reports are to be believed, the Reds could look to buy summer target Leroy Fer from FC Twente as early as January in order to handle the crisis.

The 21-year-old Dutch player has already played for both the Netherlands U-21 side and the Netherlands national team.

He rose to fame in his role of midfield enforcer in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord, before he was transferred to FC Twente this summer. He has, however, quickly adapted to his new club in style and has also begun to find the back of the net. Fer has scored five goals at the club already.

The only fact that might disturb the Liverpool fans is that Fer has openly admitted to being an ardent fan of Manchester United.

"I've been a fan of United ever since I was a kid. Because of the stadium and the style of football they play," Fer is quoted as saying on Wikipedia, as translated from his old Feyenoord profile.

However, if Henderson, Adam and Gerrard settle down well in Liverpool's midfield, or if FC Twente ask for an exorbitant fee, the Reds could either not move for Fer at all or move away to greener pastures, while keeping Lucas' recovery and other targets in mind.