Five Players Liverpool Could Realistically Sign This Transfer Window

Since Jurgen Klopp took over at Anfield in October 2015, Liverpool have gone from strength-to-strength. The Reds are all set to win a monumental first league title in 30 years, and their German manager is a key reason why.

His charismatic approach to the game attracts top players from around the globe, and Klopp’s heralded man-management skills are now being emulated across the sport.

However, it is the German manager’s shrewdness in the transfer market that arguably brings the most success, signing players such as Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah who have all excelled since moving to Anfield.

As Liverpool aim to defend their destined Premier League title, who will be on their radar this summer?

It is easy to feel for Philippe Coutinho. Once the star at Anfield under Klopp’s management, he left Liverpool to go to the Camp Nou to join Barcelona for a reported £105 million, citing his desire to play in high-profile UEFA Champions League ties for one of the two big Spanish clubs.

Ironically, since his departure Liverpool have been immensely successful in Europe, reaching back-to-back Champions League Finals – and winning the cup in 2018-19 with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Coutinho was sent on loan to Bayern Munich for the 2019-20 season, and he returned to form as Bayern romped to the title with the Brazilian scoring 8 goals and registering 3 assists in 22 appearances. With his future up in the air – and Barcelona willing to cut their demands in order to offload the attacking midfielder – a return to Anfield could well be on the cards.

In Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool possess the best centre-back in the world. The question that proves a bit more difficult to answer is: who should partner him?

The Reds traditionally pair the Dutch defender with young Joe Gomez, and the Englishman has impressed when he has played after regaining his position in the first-team from Joel Matip.

However, both men have had their injury issues which could lead to Klopp looking elsewhere. If he does decide to dive into the market, Napoli’s Senegalese superstar Kalidou Koulibaly is the favourite, and Liverpool have reportedly had a bid rejected.

Koulibaly is similar to van Dijk in that he combines athletic strength with speed and technique, and has propelled himself to the top of world football as a result.

It has been reported in the last few days that Liverpool have made a £58 million bid for Barcelona’s winger Ousmane Dembele. The winger, who has seen his career in Catalonia become hampered by injuries, has played in just 5 La Liga games in 2019-20, scoring once, due to serious hamstring issues that were set to rule him out of the now-suspended Euro 2020 tournament.

Dembele is supremely talented, and his combination of speed and elite two-footed ability makes the Frenchman a nightmare for opposition defenders. Still just 23 years of age, his quality far exceeds that of his age – the winger can dribble, shoot from distance and create chances for his teammates at the highest level.

When it comes down to it, it remains to be seen whether Dembele can be fit for long enough in order to fulfil his potential and become one of the best wingers in world football.

Probably not one Liverpool fans will be incredibly stoked about, as he is quite the downgrade from other names mentioned.

However, he is out of contract this August and doesn't seem to be putting pen to paper anytime soon. The Reds desperately want a quality forward with speed and trickery to step in when Mane or Salah are not involved, and Willian fits that bill whilst also possessing Premier League pedigree.

The 31-year-old has a wealth of trophy-winning experience and will be. wise signing for Klopp to come in for those EFL Cup, FA Cup and 'easier' Premier League games. Willian's experience and quality could help him slot in nicely at Anfield, particularly if he comes on a free transfer.

Despite heavy rumours linking the Ghanaian with a move to Arsenal, a whole host of clubs are still chasing his signature until anything becomes official, and Liverpool are just one of many.

The Reds possess a number of quality central midfielders, but only Fabinho plays a similar role to Partey – a defensive-minded, physical player who operates well with the ball at his feet.

The 27-year-old has a pass completion rate of 83% in La Liga this season for Atletico Madrid, with 36% of his passes going forward highlighting Partey’s ability to conduct the tempo of attacks.

Partey impressed for Atletico when they defeated Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16, playing every minute in the Spanish side’s 4-2 aggregate win over the defending champions.

By Andrew Gamble