Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Picking a Dream XI to Include Possible Summer Deals

Peter Webster@@petercwebsterX.com LogoContributor IIIMarch 5, 2012

Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Picking a Dream XI to Include Possible Summer Deals

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    Fresh from a defeat to Arsenal over the weekend, attention switched back to the summer transfer window and how Liverpool could build on their Carling Cup winning side.

    Damian Comolli has already suggested that Liverpool won't be spending close to the £120 million they did last summer, but not much stock can be put into comments like that these days.

    Managers and owners often play cat and mouse, and surely if the right players were available at the right price then the deals would be done.

    Here is a dream XI based on some players that Liverpool have been linked with over the past few months.

Pepe Reina

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    Pepe Reina is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he is unlikely to move on this summer.

    Liverpool can rely on the consistency of the Spanish goalkeeper, something which they could never do when the likes of Sander Westerveld and Jerzy Dudek were at the club.

    Reina is the first choice in any star line up, so he features between the sticks in this one.

Mauricio Isla

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    Mauricio Isla's agent has claimed that Liverpool have made enquiries about the versatile right sided Chilean, currently playing for Udinese.

    Whilst Glen Johnson offers a lot to Liverpool, he sometimes lacks defensive sense as opposed to Martin Kelly who comparatively doesn't give as much in attack.

    Perhaps Isla—able to play right back or right wing—could master the art of both for the Merseyside reds.

    I'd be willing to give him the opportunity to try and let Johnson move on for good money elsewhere.

Jose Enrique

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    Liverpool searched long and hard to find a left back that could replace John Arne Riise.

    Fabio Aurelio rarely seems to be fit for the club, Andrea Dossena was a flop and Emiliano Insua never made the grade.

    The search ended when Liverpool signed Jose Enrique from Newcastle United in summer 2011.

    Enrique's place is assured in Liverpool's starting XI next season.

Diego Godin

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    Martin Škrtel has had a solid season for Liverpool in the wake of Jamie Carragher's age catching up with him, however the Slovakian still doesn't qualify as one of the world's best central defenders.

    Diego Godin on the other hand certainly has the potential to be just that and Liverpool have been reported to be interested in his services.

Daniel Agger

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    Daniel Agger is probably the best defender Liverpool have on their team and he is certainly one of the finest central defenders in Europe.

    The rangy Dane has excellent ball distribution but unfortunately seems to be constantly picking up niggling injuries.

    If fit, Agger would walk onto most Premier League teams just as he does in this star XI.

Seydou Keita

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    Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita seems to be the most likely midfielder to arrive at Anfield this summer according to a multitude of reports.

    Keita was once billed as a defensive midfielder, but Pep Guardiola found a new role for the Malian as a box to box player, which might suit Liverpool quite nicely.

    An interchanging role with Gerrard sounds tempting on paper and I'd prefer to see him ahead of Lucas.

Steven Gerrard

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    Steven Gerrard is the heartbeat of Liverpool but it's no secret that he is advancing in years.

    Gerrard's distributive ability means that his playing days won't be numbered for a few season's yet, but I wouldn't be averse to seeing the him pick and choose his runs a little more carefully next season. 

    Playing alongside the likes of Keita as opposed to Lucas means the attacking onus isn't always on the Englishman.

Ibrahim Afellay

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    The right wing has been a problem position at Anfield for some time.

    Reports from Metro suggest that Liverpool could be looking to sign Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay in the summer, which could prove to be the end of that conundrum should the deal happen.

    Afellay would provide inventiveness, pace and quality passing to the team—and all for the reasonable price of £9 million if you believe what you read.

Eden Hazard

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    Liverpool have also lacked creativity in terms of being able to alter their offensive style when plan A fails to work.

    In order to do that effectively, individual creativity needs to be present on the pitch, and Eden Hazard fits the bill nicely.

    Hazard would take the place of Stewart Downing on the left flank with Chelsea being the January favourites ahead of Liverpool to land the £33 million rated player.

Luis Suarez

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    Despite Luis Suarez' issues with the FA and certain Manchester United players this season, his performances for the club on the whole have been positive and energetic.

    Suarez gives 100% on the field but needs to improve his finishing in order be considered a truly great striker.

    His creativity and workrate ensures his place on the 2012-13 first team.

Gonzalo Higuain

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    It was back in December when former Liverpool player John Barnes suggested Liverpool should move for Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain.

    If the club still has the opportunity to make the move, then Higuain must be considered a top priority as someone who can put the ball in the back of the net.

    Higuain fits Liverpool's transfer policy for age requirement and is a top class player.

Afterthoughts

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    Those six changes change the whole outlook of Liverpool's team and would leave the likes of Lucas, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Sebastian Coates, Andy Carroll, Martin Kelly, Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy fighting for a match day squad place.

    Even signing three or four of these players—particularly the midfielders and striker—would significantly change Liverpool's playing style whilst still being able to revert back to the method they have used this season.

    Higuain, Hazard and Afellay are three players that could be signed for under £100 million comfortably and they all offer long term service to the club.

    What's Kenny waiting for?

    Thanks for reading and be sure to check out Liverpool's top 10 goalkeepers of all time.

    On Twitter? Follow me @petercwebster where I post all my B/R content.

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