Liverpool FC: 4 Players Who Could Replace Lucas in the January Transfer Window

By now most Liverpool fans have heard the news that midfield anchor Lucas Leiva has suffered cruciate ligament damage to his knee and will miss the rest of the season.

Jonjo Shelvey has been recalled early from his loan spell at Blackpool in order to provide cover, and Jay Spearing will be chomping at the bit to show what he can do in a red shirt now that there's an extended chance of a first-team run.

Shelvey, whilst undoubtedly talented, isn't quite ready for Liverpool yet, and I'm not convinced Spearing ever will be. Spearing has passion, work ethic and aggression that Andy Carroll could do well to copy, but I could never see him dominating a game at a higher level such as in the Champions League.

Many people see Lucas as almost irreplaceable, but look how well Liverpool have done without Steven Gerrard for the better part of the season.

Suarez has made the then-catastrophic departure of Fernando Torres seem a distant memory, thus proving that in fact no player is irreplaceable.

With the January window a mere month away, Liverpool may take the opportunity to strengthen in the midfield area, and here are a few possibilities that I'd like to see come into the club.

Follow me on Twitter: @petercwebster.

Mats Hummels

I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to this player, but he really is that good.

Able to play centre back or defensive midfield, Hummels would be a fantastic buy for Liverpool.

Whilst I'm touting him as cover for Lucas for the purposes of this article, I see his long-term position as a central defender alongside Agger or Coates.

Leroy Fer

Fer is a dutch midfielder who currently plies his trade at FC Twente.

Fer is a player who seems to be up-and-coming now that his best position seems to have been recognised in central midfield.

The 21 year old is 6'2" and has had similarities drawn with former Arsenal and Manchester City favourite Patrick Vieira.

Apparently £10 million is all that would be required, according to Metro.

Seydou Keita

If you read the Sun (which is unlikely if you're a true Liverpool fan), Liverpool are apparently looking to sign Seydou Keita from Barcelona.

My issue with this is Keita's age. At 31 he will only offer a few years of service so the price has to be right. If we're having a bidding war with Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala, his price is likely to be overinflated.

For me, he's one to avoid.

Cheik Tiote

Whilst the rumour mill suggests Chelsea are leading the race for Tiote in January, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Liverpool shirt.

Alan Pardew has expressed his fears of losing certain players (via The Guardian) in January which could alert a number of clubs.

It's no secret that Liverpool paid way over the odds for Carroll, got a bargain with Enrique and have been also linked with Collocini. I don't think Collocini is needed, so why not look to make a cheiky January bid?

Summary

As I trawled my mind as well as various tabloid gossip articles for players to fill this article, it did make me consider the seemingly forgotten man of Anfield: Alberto Aquilani.

Aquilani never really got a chance at Liverpool, and this preseason he was one of our best players.

The mere fact that Shelvey has been recalled and Aquilani hasn't suggests that Liverpool are definitely going to look to offload him permanently, which I think is a shame.

I know there are talks of contract with AC Milan on a permanent basis (via goal.com), but as a team lacking goals and creative spark at times, Aquilani would have been a good player to help unlock those stubborn defenses that have marred an otherwise decent campaign thus far.

He'd seem a cheaper short-term option, but granted it may cost the club in the long run.

Follow me on Twitter: @petercwebster.