da winzada777： It’s been a pretty exciting few weeks to be a Liverpool fan. Granted, the top four has finally moved out of reach, but the Europa League remains a firm possibility given the draw away at Dortmund in the first leg of the sides’ quarter-final clash, while domestic form has improved with the return of Daniel Sturridge. Add to this the looming summer transfer window and reports of a £20m move for Mario Gotze, and the potential 2016/17 recipe looks rather tasty for Kopites.
da bwin： However good the aforementioned German midfielder may be, Jurgen Klopp is sure to delve further into the transfer market, though. After all, the charismatic Merseyside chief has been promised an ‘ambitious’ squad by the powers that be at Melwood, and judging by the level of links between the club and signings, there could be a few additions.
That got us thinking: who do Reds fans want the most? So we compiled 10 of the more intriguing rumours and let you lot decide… and here are the TOP FIVE!
5 – Lucas Moura
The apparent emergence of Sheyi Ojo is unlikely to quell Jurgen Klopp’s desire to land a winger this summer (especially with Jordon Ibe having had a social media hissy fit over the weekend) and it seems that fans would be happy with Moura. Reports have already claimed that the Reds’ German boss is a fan of the flying Brazilian wide man, but the major issue could be persuading him to swap guaranteed silverware and Champions League football with Paris Saint-Germain for the ‘project’ at Anfield – an even harder task that initially expected as his game time in France has been relatively plentiful of late.
4 – Mats Hummels
Liverpool witnessed the German World Cup winner’s full range of skills in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Dortmund last week. Hummels, as well as scoring the equaliser for the Bundesliga heavyweights, controlled the game from deep, was rarely beaten both in the air and on the deck and sprayed the ball forward with consummate ease.
Of course Klopp knows all about the player he coached in the yellow of BVB (hence the links with him), and it seems that Kopites are keen for their leader to use his influence to lure the 27-year-old to Anfield.
3 – Alexandre Lacazette
Liverpool have been short in the striking department for much of the last two seasons given Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes, and even with the emergence of Divock Origi over the last few months, it’s hard to see Klopp going into 2016/17 without another forward on board – especially with doubts surrounding Christian Benteke’s future.
Lacazette is a long-term Reds target and appears to be an ideal blend of the pace and technique of Sturridge and the fitness of Origi. Indeed, the France international has barely missed a Ligue 1 game since the start of 2014/15, and in that time he’s plundered 43 goals to justify his billing as one of the top hit-men in European football.
2 – Jonas Hector
Among the links with almost any footballer in possession of a German passport some candidates have stood out above others – Hector being one. The Koln defender may not be a household name, but he’s a regular in the world champions’ starting XI thanks to his solid build and defensive capabilities.
With Alberto Moreno, albeit good going forward, having shown himself to be somewhat a liability in the biggest games with his often brainless playing style, Hector appears to be a solid upgrade option, and one that won’t break the bank.
1 – Marc-Andre ter Stegen
It’s not much of a surprise that the one area Liverpool fans really want addressed after snapping up Gotze is between the sticks. Even though Simon Mignolet has improved dramatically in recent months, the errors of earlier this season and the points the Belgian cost his side cannot be forgotten, while there still remain lingering doubts about his ability to command his own box and deal with crosses.
Ter Stegen is undoubtedly the standout candidate to replace the Kop No.1, with the Germany international currently rooted to the Barcelona bench behind Claudio Bravo and restricted to being a ‘cup keeper’. At 23, the towering stopper has his best years ahead of him and would surely be eager to step down a level to play regular football, and the Anfield faithful would be delighted to see him.
There were FIVE other names in the mix, too… See those who weren’t so popular on the next slide!
The Rest
6 – Kevin Volland: Roberto Firmino’s old partner in crime from his Hoffenheim days combines pace and versatility and would be a solid, it unspectacular, forward option.
7 – Lucas Alario: The Argentine has been nagging them in for River Plate, but he seems to be a back-up option for Reds fans.
8 – Jack Butland: The Stoke stopper has been the pick of the English ‘keepers this season, but he’s held in much lower regard than Ter Stegen.
9 – Lucas Vazquez: Out in the cold at Real, Vazquez has pace and is a direct wing option, but his lack of experience counts against him.
10 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Rock bottom of out 10 candidates, it comes as a surprise to see the talented England international this low down the list.