Transfer Pollin’: Liverpool’s #1 Must Have

By: Noel | January 24th, 2011

The transfer window’s winding down already, though it feels like just yesterday Liverpool was getting hammered by Wolves at home and I was writing poor Conrad knock-offs to cope with Hodgson’s continuing employment. But back to the transfer window, and today’s poll question: If you could force one transfer through, at which position does the squad most need strengthening if it is to move up the table and see success in Europe?

In all likelihood everybody would agree that Luis Suarez would be the biggest name, and likely the best player, that Liverpool seem to have a shot at landing before January ends and only Harry Redknapp is allowed to make any more transfers. However, while he might well also be the best acquisition to move the club forward short term, it’s possible that some lesser name at a position of greater need should be the club’s first priority instead. So, trying to stick to the question of what Liverpool needs the most to improve short term–and not who the best player or biggest name signing would be–at what position would you push a transfer through if you had it within your power?

Center Back: In players like Ayala, Wilson, and Kelly the club may have quality for the future, but with Carragher slowing and Skrtel’s continuing dip in form, there are some who believe a top-class partner for Agger is needed right now. Some would say that amongst all the other options a serviceable pairing must exist, and that while a world class center back would never be unwanted, it’s hardly a priority. Though there were some rumblings about bringing in Mertersacker to fill this role early in the transfer window–even if at the time it was thought he would be a replacement for Agger instead of to compliment him–things have gone fairly quiet on this front lately.

Left Back: Liverpool’s eternal weakness, even if Aurelio is class when fit and Johnson has looked borderline capable against a couple of sides that haven’t put much pressure on him. The question remains whether an injury risk, two right backs in Johnson and Kelly, and–shudder–Paul Konchesky make up a capable stable for the left back position. With bigger names like Fabio Coentrao seemingly off the table for January, the most likely solution would be to get Stephen Warnock back on loan. He might not be a world beater, but if he’s more reliable than Konchesky he still might be exactly what Liverpool need, at least in the short term.

Midfielder: As has been seen since Steven Gerrard’s suspension, the midfield position might actually be a little thin if we’re going to play a 4-3-3, with Poulsen being the only obvious back up for the holding position and a choice of Spearing or Shelvey being preferred for the more advanced roles. Perhaps Joe Cole could do a job somewhere, too, but on the evidence he’s either permanently lacking fitness or Dalglish favours Jay Spearing over him. So while the starting three of Lucas, Meireles, and Gerrard might be good enough to do the job for just about any team, there is a question of whether Liverpool needs more quality in depth if they’re to make a sustained push up the table and towards glory in the Europa League. At present, Charlie Adam–who is likely more suited to one of the two advanced roles than the more holding role–seems the most likely option.

Forward: Though in the current system with one out and out striker the need for immediate back up to Fernando Torres may have been lessened, it might still be nice to have options. There’s also the issue of various calls for wingers or wide forwards to provide support, with many believing that Kuyt and Maxi aren’t long term solutions week in and week out. On the other hand, as much as the rumoured Luis Suarez might be the biggest name out there and would surely improve both the quality from wide and the depth at center forward, seeing as he can play nearly anywhere in attack, one has to wonder if this indeed Liverpool’s area of greatest need.

Other: Because if you want to sign a new backup keeper you should be allowed to make an ass of yourself and tell us about it in the comment section. Or maybe you’d rather take the chance to talk about the Monitor and the Merrimack, or other famous naval battles. Or, you know, whatever floats your boat.

None: And, um, because polls need a “none of the above” option to be proper polls?

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Miscellaneous, Premier League, Transfer News

« Monday Transfer Inaction, and Apparently There Was a Female Linesman | Home | Ryan Babel Leaves, Joe Cole’s Still Here, and Other Tuesday Notes »

steven.

i scream the name Suarez in my sleep....the neighbours called the police.
Tom Foolery

steven. I've been having the same dream. Saturday night I stayed up past 3am with my roommates, we drank heavily. Sunday morning I had a field trip to make at 9am. My girlfriend woke me up at 7am..she told me later that day she woke me up and I was, "talking crazy jibberish about some Mexican guy". That whole morning was a blur, but upon reflection, I distincly remember dreaming heavily about Suarez, the number 10 shirt, and how pissed I was about having to pay 40 mil for him. While I manage to be completely useless in making predictions for matchday outcomes, I'm known for the odd prophetic dream...here's hoping?...or not. The conscious me has learned that the best approach to getting your hopes up for LFC in the transfer window, is to not get your hopes up for LFC in the transfer window. You only end up wit Robbie Keane.
steven.

i had a dream about Robbie Keane too...except we didn't sign him in the end.
Noel

So you're saying we're getting Robbie Keane in a last minute transfer swoop? Well, I suppose I'm certain sorts of excited about that.
Kai

Still much prefer to see a reliable CB who's dominant in the air, quick, and confortable with the ball. Currently a bit thin on that front.
I'd like to see Jova given a chance up front in case of a Torres injury/rest.
Liverpoolfcblog

Now that Babel is out the door, you'd have to say we desperately need another striker as currently our only real backup is David Ngog. That being said I would also really like a new right winger because for me, Dirk Kuyt has been off form.
GalahadThreepwood

Suarez!! Because all this waiting is driving me insane. I hate the transfer window SO much right now.
Yann

I think we desperately need a player who offers width and pace but the point I’d like to make is lets not get stuck into FSG just yet. The January transfer window is normally all bullshit until the 11th hour with lots of brinkmanship and over-inflated values. How they handle it is likely to set the tone for their stewardship of LFC and future acquisitions, and simply throwing money at problems won’t fix them. I’m sick of knee-jerk responses (a hangover from the Hodgson days) and frankly have much time for FSG’s considered approach to things.

Take a good look - Liverpool right now are a million miles from where they were at the end of last season. Fucked owners gone, rubbish manager gone, debt gone, Babel gone, Purslow gone, Comolli, Clarke and Dalglish in, Torres up and running. Kelly a rising star.

I can see us finishing 7th this season and hopefully with Europa League success, and some silverware for the cabinet, it would be a better season than last, with only blue skies ahead. Enough of this doom and gloom. Make no mistake, we’re coming.
Mike

damn, get this guy a blog...
Yann

Cheers Mike, I'll take it as a thumbs up. Unless of course its not meant to be.
redtrev73

Well said that man!! Agreed on all counts Yann. Early days to call it but the combo of The King and clarke seems to be the perfect antidote to the all-pervasive gloom-fest that matchday had become. Imposing our passing game on a dogged and motivated opposition on a rubbish pitch...??? Was i the only one transported back to the late eighties? As for FSG...so far so good in my opinion. They seem to be honourable types and i want to give them every chance...."with hope in your heart.." and all that!!
Jake_LFC

I think it's become quite clear that we should not believe what we read/hear until the King says it himself. Agreed? Good.
Liverpoolfcblog

He said hours before that Babel was staying.... then the club released a statement that he was on his way. If you can't trust the King, who can you trust?
Noel

You have to assume something really changed behind the scenes, with the way that happened. As for what it is that changed for Babel to suddenly be on his way, who knows. Maybe it'll become clearer over the next couple of days.
Rhymenoceros

Looks like babel is out the door...http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest...
lfc4eternity

BBC report says that Ajax want a 'respectable' bid for Suarez and add's that Ajax say that Liverpool have bid 15m Euros (£12.7m)....No wonder we hav'nt got him...that's only the left half of Darren Bent! ...on the other hand it's 2 whole Ryan Babel's !!!
This is all becoming a bit of a joke!
Red2death

Hoping there's some secret coup for Snoogy Doogy that's been going on behind the scenes for weeks and is now ready to be announced.

We've been waiting for that guy for years now... when's he gonna come and single-handedly pull us to the title?

Llorente would be nice too. Or some unknown who turns out to be the second incarnation of Sami Hyypia.
Keithaustin

Define 'Fair value'?...does it mean not paying the going rate of about £25 mill for a 24 year old with a decent record, or buying another chump with a much poorer record, but 'with potential' for £20 mill to save a few quid and end up with a new idiot like Babel (Negredo anyone??)
Sorry but if Fenway can't see what real value is they should stick to fucking softball or whatever that crap is called....another window, another few missed opportunities...same old, same old.
Simon

I thought FSG would start to come under fire. So far their first transfer window has been massively underwhelming!
Tom Foolery

I'd have to say LB is the priority. I would then say Insua, Insua, Insua. Because, well we already "own" him, don't we (and if anyone has any insight as to his play at Gala, even just if he is playing or not, I'd love to hear about it)? Warnock is servicable enough, Konchesky isn't. I'd like to see a winger/forward too (don't think we need a big-name CF though, N'gog is good enough for me as back up there). The CF is entirely dependent on his service, as we've seen from Torres lately, so I think a wider player is more of a priority. Someone with pace preferably, as I think pace is Maxi's and Kuyt's main weakness. Suarez/Young ideally, or a jump in form for someone like Jova or Pach or even Babel, I guess...Really, I want to emphasize the need for more left-footed players, it really helps the balance of the team, and we have few and far between options there...think Fabio, Agger, Jova, and the Konch are the only ones.
Mjc8x

I felt Johnson played really well on Saturday at LB. Let's see if he can continue that before we get too hasty and desperate.
Lawasha

We must have a back up quality striker to play two up of purely support if we loose Torres to injury again. If nothing else we need to have a strong second half of the season to be in a stronger position to buy in the summer. Would love a striker and some wing action but my gut says with Babel and Cole staying the Messiah will do some magic and we shall have two new players,,,,, still a few days to go. Fingers crossed, lets hope we are shocked in a very good way. Cheers Law.
Simon

To be honest I'm now getting sceptical that will bring in anyone- other than perhaps Charlie Adam, who actually plays in the very position where we have the most cover. I'm disappointed that FSG seem to have given no substance to their claim of under-promising and over-delivering. The Suarez transfer seems to have hit the wall but that raises the question of how far advanced we are with the recruitment of alternative strikers. I fear we are going to once again frind ourselves with no real attacking options.
Jordan

So it seems as though the Suarez transfer has hit a major stumbling block and talks have "broken down". Obviously, the "never believe everything you read" statement applies here, and I think a lot of us will be hoping to see him having pictures taken on the LFC website within the next few days, but what are the other options in the forward positions if it has indeed fallen through? I don't think we have been linked with anyone else that is the same type of player as him...

And do you guys think that FSG are making the right decision by refusing to pay more than 20m for him? I have a feeling that their desire to seek value for money may not be easily satisfied in football, and may leave a few transfers as "close, but no cigar"... Thoughts?
Simon

Jordan, I agree with you. Given how little time they left themselves to make signings in the transfer window, how badly we need reinforcements and how much FSG needed to show they were not another version of Hicks and Gillett, I think they should have accepted, just this once, going against their instincts and paying a little more than planned. A marquee signing would really set the ball rolling and highlight that their intentions were genuine. As it is we are left wondering for another few months....
Noel

The name I've seen bandied about most is probably Sevilla's Negredo, though that seems a stretch as he hasn't been hugely impressive in his attempt to move from prospect to star, not to mention his base price would be 18 million. I suspect people are talking about him more because Madrid tried to use him as a make-weight to knock down the Alonso price back in the day. I've also seen one or two places suggest we could go back in for Llorente, but the consensus is that a 40 million move to Real is already agreed for the summer, so that's not going to happen.

Or: there are the usual rumours, but nothing that stands out. Maybe going the strictly a winger route with somebody like N'Zogbia would be most likely if Suarez completely falls through.

In any case, FSG may have money, but they can't compete with Man City or Chelsea on that front, so the only thing they can do is stick to their guns to pay "fair value" and hope the other side is bluffing.