Liverpool FC: Ranking the Reds' Top Potential Transfer Targets

Liverpool currently finds itself in sixth place with five points separating the Reds and third-place Chelsea. That puts them in a good position heading into the January transfer window since manager Kenny Dalglish understands a couple moves could push his team into a European spot.

Here are three potential targets to bolster an already-solid Liverpool side.

1. Fernando Torres

There have been mixed signals about the availability of Torres, but Liverpool should be in on the striker should he be put on the market. The Spaniard hasn't been able to find his footing with the Blues ever since joining the team last campaign.

He has scored just twice in 11 league games and seems to lack the confidence in front of goal he once possessed. Perhaps a return to Anfield would take some pressure of his shoulders, allowing him to play the more free-flowing style people had come to expect.

Since the Andy Carroll experiment hasn't worked out as well as the team hoped, they could use somebody to play up top alongside Luis Suarez. He has just five goals this season because opposing back lines have keyed in on him without another major threat to worry about.

2. Robert Lewandowski

Should Torres be deemed unavailable or too costly, Lewandowski would be a solid backup plan. He's scored 10 goals in 16 Bundesliga games with Borussia Dortmund and has also had some success with Poland during international duty.

The recently named the 2011 Polish Player of the Year has developed into an intriguing option for teams looking for a more cost-friendly option than the market's top names. At just 23 years old, there's still time for him to grow as well.

There's always risk involved in bringing over a player like Lewandowski because there's usually a transition period between arrival and finding Premiership form. That said, sometimes teams need to take a chance in order to get a big reward.

3. Cheick Tiote

Perhaps the most popular name in Liverpool circles right now is Tiote. There's a need for a defensive midfielder and he would seem like the perfect option. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast national team member has a Premier League pedigree.

There are several other teams speculated to have interest in the midfielder, which could mean a potential bidding war for his services and that's not something Liverpool wants to get involved in. However, if actual interest doesn't meet rumored interest, he could be a terrific addition.

A minor issue here could be Tiote's likely Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cote d'Ivoire. Since every point will be crucial for Liverpool in the season's second half, would they be willing to bring in a player who will be gone for about three weeks from late January to mid-February? Maybe not.