The January transfer window is now just over a week away, and we look at the rumours affecting Liverpool over the last few days.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal may not have been the result the Reds deserved, but Martin Skrtel’s last-gasp equaliser has the potential to give their season some much-needed momentum.
The start of the January transfer window is now just nine days away and Brendan Rodgers will surely be looking to strengthen his squad, especially given the goalkeeper situation and lack of goals from strikers.
Here are the latest transfer rumours that have emerged over the last couple of days.
PETR CECH
The Mirror claims that Cech’s agent, Viktor Kolar, is encouraging the Reds to make a move for the 32-year-old next summer.
“It’s unlikely Petr will leave Chelsea in the January transfer window. The club and coach want to keep him to help win the title. I think Arsenal should have made an offer to him. I think Petr would be considering it.
“Liverpool need to strengthen their position in goal and they know Petr will be available in the summer.”
Cech has had to play second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea this season, and it is criminal that a goalkeeper of his class is sitting on the substitutes’ bench most weeks. He would be a wonderful signing.
The only downside is that it appears the Czech Republic star will not be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge in January. Liverpool simply have to sign a new ‘keeper then, with Brad Jones and Simon Mignolet nowhere near good enough.
FABIAN DELPH & RON VLAAR
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is powerless to stop Delph and Vlaar, two of his side’s star men, leaving, according to the Daily Star.
Both players have been linked with a move to Anfield in recent times and would be shrewd, although unspectacular, acquisitions.
Delph’s game has really gone up a gear in the last year or so, and his drive and bite in midfield would give Liverpool something they are lacking at the moment.
Vlaar, meanwhile, is a proven international centre-back for Holland, and although he wouldn’t represent the long-term solution – he turns 30 in February – he would shore up the Reds’ weak-looking back-line.
FABIO COENTRAO
According to the Express, both Liverpool and Arsenal have been alerted by the news that Coentrao is set to leave Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements at Santiago Bernabeu, having fallen behind Marcelo in the left-back pecking order, and a move to the Premier League appeals.
The Portugal international is a superb full-back on his day, one of the best in Europe in fact, and he would be a brilliant signing by Rodgers.
Defensively he is sound, he has quality going forward, and unlike many of the Reds’ recent signings, he is at peak age. It would reportedly cost the club around £25m.
Clearly the work of fiction this one, especially given Alberto Moreno‘s signing in the summer.
LUCAS LEIVA
The Daily Telegraph reports that the 27-year-old could be on his way out of Anfield in January.
Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini hinted to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport that he saw the Brazilian as a good signing.
“I have already made the point, we are looking for a winger and preferably two. We need a player who is strong, very fast, direct, good technically and capable of scoring goals.
“If we can’t find a player with these qualities, then it is better not to buy anyone at all. [Alessio] Cerci, Lennon and Lucas Leiva are all good reference points and not random choices.”
Despite a recent run of games back in the Liverpool first-team, Lucas does not represent the best possible solution in the long-term, but it’s unlikely Rodgers would allow him to leave in January.
And finally, we end with a Christmas cracker from Michael Owen…
PAUL POGBA
The former Liverpool striker, who is supposedly meant to be a pundit who knows a thing or two about the game, reckons the Reds should sign Juventus star Pogba as Steven Gerrard‘s long-term replacement.
What Owen needs to realise is that the 21-year-old is arguably the finest central midfielder on the planet at the moment, and is one of the least likely signings in the club’s history.
The hugely talented France international is being tracked by Europe’s biggest clubs, and would likely only be allowed to leave Juventus if a bid of £60m was submitted. Sadly, Liverpool would never be able to complete.
“Steven Gerrard‘s not going to go on forever so the ideal replacement there would probably be someone like Paul Pogba at Juventus.
“He’s an exceptional talent, a young talent that can play in that drive an central midfield role.”
He’ll be tipping us for a summer move for Pele next.
Let us know your thoughts on the rumours in the comments section.
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