The 2014/15 campaign was a far from perfect one for Liverpool.
Struggling to cope with the departure of Luis Suarez, the continual injuries of Daniel Sturridge and the ageing decay of captain Steven Gerrard, the Reds found themselves eliminated from the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup before ending the season with a 6-1 thumping to Stoke City, leaving them in sixth place.
The Anfield outfit fanbase considerable improvements ahead of next term and that will require a strong transfer window from manager Brendan Rodgers, whose dire record in the market has come under huge scrutiny during the last few months.
So to ensure the Reds boss doesn’t make the same mistakes, we at Football Fancast have outlined the five signings that would give Liverpool the perfect summer transfer window – without delving into the realms of improbability, of course.
Would these FIVE be the ideal summer signings on Merseyside?
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ASMIR BEGOVIC
Liverpool have been linked with Championship shot-stoppers Adam Bogdan and David Marshall over the last few weeks as potential understudies to Simon Mignolet, but most at Anfield would prefer to see a goalkeeper who can truly dislodge the hap-hazard Belgium international from his No.1 berth arrive this summer.
A lack of Champions League football probably puts Chelsea’s Petr Cech out of reach, but Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic provides a realistic alternative.
The Bosnian international is well-proven in the Premier League, enjoying five sturdy campaigns as the Potters’ No.1 and in that time winning the club’s Young Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards – so there’s no doubting how highly he’s rated at the Britannia.
Begovic knows how to use his lofty 6 foot 6 frame and rarely loses his composure – which should ease some of the pressure on the Reds’ ever-chaotic defence.
With his contract set to expire at the end of next season and negotiations over a new deal yet to get underway, the tabloids believe Stoke could be forced to sell for just £8million this summer.
NATHANIEL CLYNE
Replacing England’s first choice right-back of the last eight years with potentially England’s first choice right-back of the next eight years seems like a simple enough solution on Liverpool’s part.
Veteran defender Glen Johnson will leave Anfield upon the expiration of his contract this summer and Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne has been billed as his likely replacement.
In addition to muscling his way into regular Three Lions reckoning, the 24 year-old has just ended an impressive season at St. Mary’s, averaging 3.3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 0.8 successful dribbles per match as part of a Saints defence who boast the second-healthiest goals conceded column in the Premier League after title-winners Chelsea.
An athletic defender with quality on the ball and real tenacity off it, the former Crystal Palace youngster suits Liverpool’s style of play under Brendan Rodgers perfectly.
Clyne’s contract at Southampton will expire at the end of next season and without a new deal in sight it’s looking increasingly likely Ronald Koeman’s outfit will have to sell this summer.
Liverpool launched a £10million bid last month which was flatly rejected, however, and recent reports claim Brendan Rodgers is reluctant to increase his offer.
MATEO KOVACIC
Liverpool need a talismanic replacement for MLS-bound skipper Steven Gerrard and their preferred choice appears to be Inter Milan midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
The former Dynamo Zagreb youngster has continually impressed since his Serie A debut in 2013, this season bagging five goals and three assists in 35 league outings whilst averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.8 chances created and 2.6 successful dribbles per match.
He’s proved himself equally adept at No.10 and as a deep-lying midfielder, whilst 20 caps for the Croatian national team at just 21 years of age further underlines Kovacic’s enormous potential.
According to The Express, Liverpool have already agreed personal terms with the prodigious playmaker but are still yet to confirm a price with Inter Milan, having seen their previous £15million bid rejected.
ROBERTO FIRMINO
Liverpool have been linked with Hoffenheim star Roberto Firmino for some time and will be expected to revive their interest again this summer after another strong campaign from the versatile attacker.
The 23 year-old boasts 23 goals and 21 assists in his last 66 Bundesliga appearances, in that time proving potent in a variety of roles across the midfield and the front-line. This term, he also averaged an impressive 2.9 shots, 2.1 created chances and 4.2 dribbles per match.
That’s seen Firmino ascend to starting status within the Brazil national team fold, netting twice in five appearances since his debut in October.
Resultantly, however, some new suitors have recently emerged on the scene. Along with Liverpool, Manchester City are reportedly considering a £20million bid.
CARLOS TEVEZ
Carlos Tevez may be 31 years of age but he’s still proving himself to be one of the best in the business, firing Juventus to consecutive Serie A titles and this season’s Champions League final.
Liverpool have been linked with the Argentina international and although he don’t fit the usual criteria of the FSG model, he could well be the direct replacement for Luis Suarez Liverpool failed to find in the transfer market last summer, boasting a similar blend of flair, netting prowess and tenacity.
Furthermore, Tevez is more than proven in the Premier League. He won three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League title throughout his spells with West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City, amassing a haul of 84 goals in 202 league outings.
With his contract set to expire in 2016 and Juve linked to a host of replacement front-men, including Gonzalo Higuain and Edinson Cavani alongside new signing Paulo Dybala, the feisty South American will likely leave Turin on the cheap this summer.
