The imminent signing of Roberto Firmino at Liverpool may well usher in a positive transfer window at Anfield.
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Following the club’s disappointing season—and particularly their bleak end to the campaign—there is a sense of malaise around the Merseyside giants.
Not only have they lost inspirational captain Steven Gerrard, but another star man, Raheem Sterling, has made clear his desire to leave the club this summer, with Manchester City appearing increasingly desperate to recruit the England international.
However, it looks like the Reds are closing in on a move for Firmino—a talented offensive player, stolen from beneath the noses of Manchester United, who could become a new darling for the club’s fans.
In this feature, we present five star additions who could transform the mood around Merseyside and fire the Reds back into the Champions League places.
Aymen Abdennour
Liverpool are in need of defensive reinforcements this summer, with their shoddy showing at the back one of the key reasons why they failed to close the gap on the top four.
Kolo Toure may have signed a new contract, but he ought not be Rodgers’s Plan A, while Martin Skrtel’s future remains up in the end, having not yet signed a new deal with the Reds.
They may have missed out on LOSC Lille’s Simon Kjaer, but another possible addition from France is AS Monaco’s Aymen Abdennour.
The Tunisia centre-back is a well-rounded defensive operator, and despite interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, the Metro believe the Reds are ‘in talks’ with the North African.
Carlos Bacca
Having won the Europa League with Sevilla, and having bagged 20 goals in 31 La Liga starts last term, it’s little surprise that the 28-year-old has attracted major attention this summer.
Currently on Copa America duty with Colombia, Bacca has been sought-after by Manchester United, although recent reports indicate that Liverpool may have pulled ahead of their fierce rivals in the race for the late bloomer.
Asier Illarramendi
Despite the departure of Sami Khedira, it remains to be seen whether Spanish midfielder Asier Illarramendi will find a place for himself at Real Madrid.
The former Real Sociedad man has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, and Rodgers is rumoured to have made a bid for the 25-year-old.
Illarramendi would go someway to replacing Gerrard’s calm and stability in the middle of the park, and would be a find midfield anchor for Liverpool.
Christian Benteke
While ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy doesn’t believe that Christian Benteke ought to be considered by the top clubs in the Premier League, one or two of the top six may be tempted by the powerful Belgian.
Despite his injury concerns, the former Genk man managed 13 league goals under both Paul Lambert and Tim Sherwood this season, as well as finding the net twice in five FA Cup outings.
He would certainly be an upgrade on the misfiring Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.
Salomon Rondon
Salomon Rondon was a key figure for Zenit St. Petersburg last season as Andre Villas-Boas’s side claimed the Russian Premier League.
It now appears that he is looking for a new challenge, and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
The prospect of the Venezuelan lining up with his Copa America rival Roberto Firmino should be mouth-watering for Liverpool fans.