Liverpool Transfers: 7 Early Targets for the January Window

Liverpool got beat 0-2 at home by Arsenal last Sunday.

The result was disappointing, if not pathetic, and that was evident from the few boos echoing around Anfield.

Sure, those hooligans had jump-started the whole deal as it is still the beginning stages for the club as well as the manager.

Left with no backup strikers, Brendan Rodgers certainly seemed out of his depth towards the end of the game.

Suarez and his exhibitionist tactics have cost Liverpool their momentum once again. Fabio Borini was irrelevant for longer durations of the game while new boy Nuri Sahin had a pedestrian outing.

Rodgers missing out on key transfer targets is certainly one of the reasons behind Liverpool’s early struggles in the new season.

Clint Dempsey is out of reach now, but there are still quite a few targets that Rodgers can instead look at.

Let’s help him by pointing out a few names…

The 21-year-old Scottish winger is one of the high profile youngsters in world football today.

Forrest may not be viewed as a top talent in the eyes of many, but the lad can sure as hell dribble better than Stewart Downing with the ball at his feet.

The one downside on Forrest—and probably the most important as far as Rodgers is concerned—is his relative lack of great passing skills.

If we know Rodgers better, that is one criterion you are supposed to be excellent at.

However, he has age on his side. And under a suitable mentor, he will certainly be able to realize his true potential.

James Forrest will also be one of the cheapest available players on the market.

Probably available for less than the knockdown price that the Reds offered to Fulham on deadline day for Clint Dempsey.

Considering how much Swansea paid for Michu, common sense suggests that calculated gamble pays off at times.

Well, we all know the story where Sturridge refused a temporary move to Merseyside.

However, a good half season warming the Stamford Bridge bench should convince the England international to reconsider his decision.

Either that, or Liverpool are able to get their finances in order and bid for an outright purchase.

The priciest transfer target on this list, Alan Dzagoev is another outstanding talent in the mould of Andrei Arshavin.

Chasing Dzagoev would show that the club and its board shares the ambition of their supporters.

Dzagoev’s star rose considerably during Euro 2012 despite Russia failing to progress beyond the group stages.

A tricky attacking midfielder who can also double up as a second striker, Dzagoev should cost upwards of £20 million for any club that has set its sights on him.

PSG sporting director, Leonardo, recently claimed that they have the best striker in the world in their squad.

He was, of course, referring to the one and only Zlatan Ibrahimović.

So, what use is Kevin Gameiro to them now that it is clear that the Qatari owners are only interested in attracting the superstars of world football to their club?

Gameiro lost his starting spot to Ibra following the Swede’s arrival in the French capital. Although not a prolific goal scorer, he can certainly lift some pressure off of Suarez’s shoulders.

Gameiro is expected to cost in the region of £7—£12 million.

Theo Walcott has not managed to feature in key games for Arsenal this season.

The speedster, who is in the last year of his contract, is eligible to sign a pre-contract in January if his future goes undecided.

Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers will definitely look into that option as well, but will be reluctant to meet the England international’s wage demands.

Walcott’s £100,000 a week wage demand is widely believed to have been the reason behind stalled contract negotiations at Arsenal.

The self-professed Liverpool fanatic is yet another transfer target available to Brendan Rodgers.

Turan, who only joined the Atleti last season, plays in the final third as an attacking midfielder or as a left winger for his team.

Radamel Falcao’s brilliant goal-scoring antics in the Super Copa final against Chelsea managed to overshadow a masterful performance from this Turkey international even though it was his clever passing and movement that allowed Falcao to get into threatening positions.

Turan has a contract till 2015 and as such will command a higher fee. Also, past transfer dealings between the clubs should put Liverpool in good stead if they choose to bid for this player.

Either of these two attacking midfield/wide midfield talents should fit the profile of Brendan Rodgers all too well.

Belhanda is a Moroccan international who plies his trade in the French league with its defending champions Montpellier.

Belhanda’s former teammate, Olivier Giroud, had moved to Arsenal FC during this summer transfer window.

Nicolas Gaitan is an Argentine midfielder playing for SL Benfica.

Once a hot target for several top clubs, the high price quoted by his parent club put off many of his suitors.

Their unwillingness to sell their prized possession is only bound to get tougher following Axel Witsel’s move to free-spending Zenit St. Petersburg of the Russian league.

However, Liverpool should consider moving for either of these talents if their midfield rank—with the exception of Joe Allen—fails to live up to its expectations.