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Five Bosmans Liverpool could target in January

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 SpainWHETHER signed in January at a reduced price or on a free in the summer, there are a number of players who have their contracts running down across Europe.

Many are not ordinary footballers; they are top class performers who could fit into most teams. This is where Liverpool should jump in and see if they can take any opportunities that come their way.

With this in mind, I have compiled a list of five players who have less than 12 months on their contract who could seriously benefit Liverpool.

Furthermore, I have also decided to add a back up option for each of the five, in case the initial players are out of reach for Liverpool due to wage or realism issues, or that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t feel that the specific player is right for the Reds and their top four charge.

1. Keisuke Honda

The only one on the list who has a contract expiring at the start of 2014, rather than in the summer, Keisuke Honda is a gifted footballer. Capable of playing in attacking midfield, centre midfield or on the wing in a 4-3-3, he is one of the star names of Russian giants CSKA Moscow. Set pieces are his speciality and he can also dribble very effectively.

Signing Honda would allow Liverpool to possess another talented playmaker to compete with Coutinho, whether playing alongside him or acting as a back up in rotation with the Brazilian. In addition, such a signing could benefit Liverpool commercially, extending their reach into Asia with kit sales etc. like Manchester United did with Shinji Kagawa. However there are questions marks over the Japanese player.

For a player who is talked about a great deal and has this tremendous ability, why hasn’t the move to one of Europe’s top leagues not occurred yet? Could it be that CSKA have been holding out for too much, or that teams have been holding out for his contract to wind down? Whatever the case, it doesn’t provide a positive reflection on Honda who, at 27, should be in his prime but is no youngster. Therefore is he good enough to make the leap from Russian football, or are clubs worried he will be another Arshavin?

Nevertheless, on a free transfer in January rather than in the summer, ultimately Liverpool should look at signing Honda to boost their top four chances. However, they face fierce competition, especially from AC Milan and also Spurs.

Alternative – Diego (Werder Bremen)

2. Blaise Matuidi

Also being tracked by Chelsea and Manchester City, Blaise Matuidi is one of the central figures for Paris Saint-Germain, yet not as lauded as the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. However, he is part of the spine of the team and is very successful in covering the pitch, protecting the back four and starting attacks from a deep position.

He is an excellent defensive midfielder who is only 26 and does play for one of Europe’s top clubs. However, there will be doubts over whether Liverpool can tempt Matuidi as PSG have Champions League football and the likelihood of a French league title at the end of the season, whereas Liverpool are just looking to secure Champions League football for next season at the moment.

Consequently, it may lead to high wage demands, especially with interest from other clubs. However, the calibre of the clubs tracking him and the successful performances he has put in for PSG illustrates his quality and therefore makes him a target Liverpool should grab immediately if they can, with Lucas Leiva finally having someone who can challenge and probably overthrow him in the defensive midfield position.

Alternative – Raul Garcia (Atletico Madrid)
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3. Ignazio Abate

With fantastic pace and excellent defensive qualities, Abate has stated that he would like to remain at AC Milan for a while longer, yet his contract runs out in the summer and Liverpool should definitely have him on their radar.

With Glen Johnson turning 30 soon, Liverpool could be forgiven for beginning a search for a right-back to seriously challenge the Englishman, with Martin Kelly unfortunately experiencing injury problems and yet to fulfil his potential.

Abate can play left-back as well as right-back and with no clubs at the moment showing any apparent interest, Liverpool could have a very good chance of securing the Italian if they can convince him that Anfield is the best place for him to play his football if he decides to leave the San Siro. However the move may have come too early if Rodgers decides that Johnson can go on for a while yet.

Alternative – Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)

4. Xabi Alonso

What about a return for one of Anfield’s old favourites? Still one of the best central midfielders in the world but looking like he will be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season, there will be few clubs he would turn Liverpool down for.

One of the Istanbul faithful, Alonso would provide creativity and assurance from a deep position in midfield and would fit in instantly, despite having been away for over four years. However there are a few issues.

He will turn 32 in November and will not be getting any younger, although players like Ryan Giggs and especially Andrea Pirlo will be figures Alonso will look to for inspiration. Furthermore, other clubs like Chelsea and Juventus have shown interest, with Juventus ironically looking for a replacement for Pirlo. Moreover, even if he did arrive, Steven Gerrard has taken the midfield position that Alonso would occupy, so either they would have to rotate (which wouldn’t be totally unrealistic as it would prolong both their careers whilst giving Liverpool two high class operators in that position) or Rodgers would have to change formation to fit him in alongside Gerrard and Lucas. That would create a midfield which wouldn’t be blessed with lots of pace and keeping the likes of Jordan Henderson out of regular action.

So there are pros and cons by bringing in Alonso, but at the end of the day he is world class and if he can be brought in on a free and for a reasonable wage, he would considerably improve the midfield, no doubt about that.

Alternative – Fernando (FC Porto)

5. Robert Lewandowski

OK, the outside shot by a country mile, but one of the best strikers in the world and someone Liverpool should look to sign if they finish in the top four this season and convince the Pole of their ambitions beyond that. Nevertheless, a move to Bayern Munich looks increasingly likely (although he has said a move has not been completed yet and he would like to play in the Premier League one day), while Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid lurk in the shadows.

He is someone who would command immense wages and a first team place which would mean having to accommodate Suarez and Sturridge in the same attack. However, that sentence just demonstrates the quality that Liverpool would possess – an attacking line-up that would rival, if not better, anything in the Premier League. Scoring bagfuls of goals for Borussia Dortmund in the last few seasons, his transfer market value would be at least £40m if he had a full length contract, giving Liverpool’s American owners an idea of the value Lewandowski has.

Furthermore, at 25 he is in his absolute prime for the way he plays, linking up with the forwards and midfield runners, demonstrating fantastic close control and skills, much like a Dimitar Berbatov and having a ruthless eye for goal. He would be a dream signing, even if it is only a dream thought, but Lewandowski would certainly fit the bill as a signing to send out a statement of title-winning ambitions from Liverpool Football Club.

Alternative – Jeremy Menez (Paris Saint-Germain)

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8 comments

  • stevie says:

    Can’t say I find this lot particularly inspiring. Alonso is a backward step and a silly short term fix

  • Rouman says:

    Mcallister. Was short term. But look how good he was. No experience is required Alonso is class

    • stevie says:

      take your point about mcallister but we really have to get away from short term signings and build a younger base. alonso was good for us but let’s not go back there

  • Big Will says:

    Matidi and Lewandowski would be a wet dream!
    But c`mon Liverpool didnt even qualify for europe last season, so there are no chance in h…?

    • me says:

      Well it doesn’t really matter what happened last season though does it? Although I agree with Lewandowski is VERY unrealistic, Matuidi has a significantly higher chance. Im not saying he is any less of a player, but from what I understand he is in some kind of contract argument with PSG. So IF he is available, I say why not?

  • robbie says:

    I agree there should be more realistic targets so here is mine
    1- Mitrologlou from olympiakos
    2- Pastors from PSG
    3- El Shaawary from Ac Milan
    4- Hughes from Derby
    5- Cerci form Torino
    Now they are real transfer targets for January:-)

  • robbie says:

    We also need some fullbacks so here are 5 left backs and right backs
    Right back;
    Montoya
    Abate
    Danilo
    Van der wiel
    Dani alves

    Left back;
    Shaw
    Baines
    Gibbs
    Alex sando
    Coentrao

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