Oh dear, oh dear. It's not been an enjoyable start to the season for Liverpool.
Perhaps expectations were placed too high after the Reds recorded a shock runner-up finish in the Premier League last term, but few expected them to plummet into the bottom half of the table with just 14 points after twelve games.
The Anfield outfit are now a point closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League spots and Brendan Rodgers is fearing for his job.
Perhaps some bold additions in January could get Liverpool's season back on track and just in case the Anfield gaffer is short on ideas, here's FIVE super signings that could save the Reds' stuttering campaign.
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YOHAN CABAYE
With Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen all struggling for form, Liverpool’s midfield is in need of something a little different.
Could former Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye be the answer? He’s growing increasingly disillusioned with his rotational role at PSG, as the Frenchman awaits his first start in the Champions League this season, and the tabloids claim a January return to the Premiership could be on the cards:
The 28 year-old is more than proven in the English top flight, amassing 18 goals and 15 assists in 93 appearances during his two-and-a-half years on Tyneside.
Indeed, Cabaye is famed for his consistent output, especially from dead ball situations - here’s a look at the central midfielder’s top ten goals:
He may not have too many set piece opportunities at Anfield with Steven Gerrard still a starting Xi regular, but the France international is industrious and progressive in open play too, as shown below:
It’s believed he could be available for around £20million but the midfielder is on Arsenal and Manchester United’s radars too.
JUAN CUADRADO
Liverpool’s attack has lost its pace and tenacity this season but Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado, linked with an Anfield switch in the summer, could be the man to restore it:
The Colombian international absolutely destroyed Serie A last season and brought his form to the World Cup, as shown below:
In fact, nobody bettered his four assists at Brazil 2014 and Cuadrado has started the current season in a similar vein:
Combining pace, trickery, ruthless athleticism and netting prowess, this goal typifies the South American:
The 26 year-old signed a new contract in October but it included a £27million release clause, which should be within Liverpool’s financial reach. With Manchester City and Manchester United both linked however, there will be competition for Cuadrado’s signature:
JACKSON MARTINEZ
In the seemingly endless injury absence of Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool have netted just 15 times in the Premier League this season - a far cry from their centenary of goals last term.
Resultantly, it’s believed Brendan Rodgers in on the prowl for another front-man in January and one of the names mooted is Porto’s Jackson Martinez:
The Colombian international arrived late to the European game but since joining FC Porto from Mexican side Chiapas in summer 2012, he’s amassed an incredible 71 goals in 107 appearances -including twelve in 16 this season. Here’s a look at Martinez in action:
Strong, quick and earning the moniker ‘cha cha cha’ for his graceful movement inside the box, the 28 year-old has long-been mooted as a striker that would excel in the Premier League.
Martinez’ rumoured £30million fee is more than reasonable, but it will be reduced by a further £2million in the summer, which could convince Brendan Rodgers to wait until the end of the season.
MARCO REUS
A few weeks ago it appeared Marco Reus was out of Liverpool’s reach, but with Chelsea now out of the equation according to Jose Mourinho, it now appears to be a direct race between Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City for the German international’s signature.
He’s been ruled out injured until the New Year but unquestionably one of the most impressive attacking talents in world football, winning two Bundesliga Player of the Year awards in the last three seasons, that won’t put off the winger-forward’s suitors.
Indeed, Reus is an incredible talent, capable of playing scorer or provider in virtually any position in the final third. Here’s a look at his stats last term:
And a clip of the 25 year-old in action:
Reus’ £20million release clause, set to come into effect next summer, is now public knowledge and resultantly Dortmund appear resigned to letting their talismanic forward leave for a slightly more lucrative fee in January.
He’d be a major coup for the Reds but whether they can beat Manchester City and Bayern Munich remains to be seen.
SAMI KHEDIRA
A superstar signing but without a superstar fee, Sami Khedira looks set to leave the Bernabeu on a bargain in January as his Real Madrid contract enters its final six months.
A few weeks ago, the German international claimed he wanted to stay with the European champions at least until the summer, but he’s been left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad to face FC Basel tomorrow evening despite the absence of Luka Modric, suggesting a winter departure could now be on the cards.
A Champions League and World Cup winner, the 28 year-old undisputedly belongs to world football’s centre-mid elite. Here’s a look at Khedira in action:
His mixture of quality and industry would add a new dimension to Liverpool’s midfield - take this heatmap from Germany’s 7-1 World Cup semi-final victory over Brazil for example:
But wages could be the ultimate issue for the Reds, with Khedira currently earning around £120k per week.
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