When Liverpool sold Luis Suarez for £75million to Barcelona, it left Brendan Rodgers with a huge transfer budget that he could spend to bring even more stars to the club.
Having signed a few players already, he will be looking to add some top name players to his side.
Rather than hoping they mature into amazing players, Rodgers will need to consider making purchases that can immediately make an impact without having to slowly adapt to the style of the team or the pace of the English Premier League.
With that in mind, here are SIX ‘out-of-the-box’ signings that can provide the Reds with some instant quality…
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Isco
Name: Isco
Age: 22
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Spain
Club: Real Madrid
Price: £25 – £30 million
Widely tipped to be the next Steven Gerrard if he ever makes the switch to Anfield, Isco could become a club hero if he considers leaving Real Madrid in his limited playing time being a major factor. He did make a decent impact in the previous season scoring eight as well as providing six in his 23 starts and nine substitute introductions.
Already battling with some of the best players in the Spanish La Liga, his creativity and play-making assets will fit great into Brendan Rodgers plans as Isco could become the link between the midfield and the attack. In addition, having Gerrard as a role model will surely give him a huge boost in confidence as well as experience.
Marco Reus
Name: Marco Reus
Age: 25
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £40 – £45 million
Although he missed the World Cup with an injury right before the start of the tournament, Marco Reus is a highly sought after target. With news of a potential departure from Borussia Dortmund, he could provide Liverpool with that extra bit of pace and energy on the wings. He netted 16 goals and provided another 13 in only 26 Bundesliga starts the previous season.
The sale of Luis Suarez would have injected the side with a huge transfer boost, adding to their already high budget. In addition, youngster Raheem Sterling can have a lot to learn from the 25-year-old who can surely make an instant impact in the English Premier League.
Antoine Griezmann
Name: Antoine Griezmann
Age: 23
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: France
Club: Real Sociedad
Price: £25 – £30 million
Antoine Griezmann is another target than can add some extra pace to the already fast Liverpool squad. Although deployed as a winger, he still managed to score 16 goals in 31 La Liga starts the previous season and could be interested in a bigger challenge. He is already linked with a number of English Premier League clubs while his World Cup showing only fuelled his interest.
Brendan Rodgers dominated on the counter-attacks last season and could use the same strategy in the team’s title push to win the league. Griezmann is a speedy winger who can step in and race his way into the Red’s first team.
Karim Benzema
Name: Karim Benzema
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Nationality: France
Club: Real Madrid
Price: £37 – £43 million
Karim Benzema continues to impress, most recently scoring three and providing two in his previous five World Cup games. He is also regarded as one of the best strikers in the world so if Liverpool can lure him over, he can surely be the first candidate to try and replace the void left behind with the departure of Luis Suarez.
Should Brendan Rodgers make a formal move, he needs to keep in mind that someone like Benzema doesn’t expect to be benched. His striking instincts are something that can provide the Reds with some immediate goal scoring intentions as he has already netted 17 goals in 35 appearances the previous season.
Paul Pogba
Name: Paul Pogba
Age: 21
Position: Central Midfield
Nationality: France
Club: Juventus
Price: £40 – £45 million
Paul Pogba was recently named best young player at the World Cup and has since made himself one of the most sought after midfielders in the world. He managed seven goals and seven assist in 33 Serie A starts the previous season. Although is so highly valued, his age and quality he can bring will provide any club with a future leader.
It looks as though Paul Pogba can play in any league he is put into while a chance to play against Manchester United, who let him leave on a free transfer after deciding he didn’t have a future could be on his agenda. Brendan Rodgers will have a very strong midfielder if he accepts to spend around £45 million for his services.
Sami Khedira
Name: Sami Khedira
Age: 27
Position: Defensive Midfield
Nationality: Germany
Club: Real Madrid
Price: £28 – £35 million
Sami Khedira has been linked with a move out of Real Madrid in recent months and with Liverpool having quite a hefty transfer budget in addition to that of the sale of Luis Suarez, the German midfielder is a perfect candidate to ensure some stability in the more defensive aspects of the squad.
Breaking into the Germany national team at quite a young age saw him grow into a very experienced player and would definitely fit into the Reds line up. With news that Brendan Rodgers may rest Steven Gerrard on some occasions, Khedira is surely somebody who can shine in his place.