Jurgen Klopp has remained adamant that Liverpool will have a quiet January transfer window but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate, right?
The Reds are looking to improve in many ways under the German, and although we may not see many important moves until the summer, here are five players that could realistically move to Merseyside and help Liverpool improve in 2016.
1. Timo Horn, FC Cologne
Any goalkeeper can be placed in this spot, but Timo Horn was linked with a Liverpool move in November and could be a nice option as a replacement for Simon Mignolet. It’s difficult to find an experienced goalkeeping option that would improve Liverpool the way Petr Cech has done at Arsenal for example, so the German youngster appears to be Liverpool’s best available option.
A prominent figure much like his successful compatriots in Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp, Horn has become a staple in FC Cologne’s goal at the age of just 22. At that age and with his ability, Horn could ideally become Liverpool’s keeper for the foreseeable future, and he could fill a need that has gotten bigger and bigger over the past couple of years, especially with Adam Bogdan as Mignolet’s replacement.
2. Leroy Sane, Schalke 04
Leroy Sane has recently stated that he is happy to stay at Schalke, but the 19-year-old is another German that could help Klopp improve his side in 2016. Heavily linked with Liverpool over the past year (but also Manchester City and Real Madrid in recent times), the young winger would provide much-needed width to a Liverpool team that has Jordon Ibe as their only wide player at the moment.
Sane burst onto the scene with a spectacular performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League last year, and has since become a regular for Schalke, displaying skill and flair as well. The only issue would be that he and Ibe both prefer the right wing, but since Ibe is right footed and Sane is left footed, Klopp has options. He can utilize them on their strong-footed side so as to cater to Christian Benteke’s thirst for crosses, or place them on the opposite side so they can cut in on their strong foot and look for space to pass or shoot. Sane provides plenty of options for a team that needs more wide players after Brendan Rodgers shipped them all out on loan — he won’t come cheap though.
3. Neven Subotic, Borussia Dortmund
There has been some confusion around whether or not Klopp will attempt to lure players he coached at Borussia Dortmund. This is because he himself has said he will not raid his old club, but Dortmund CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke recently stated that the club is open to discussing moves with Klopp.
Whatever the situation is, another player Liverpool have been linked with is Klopp’s former center back, Neven Subotic. Martin Skrtel has been a loyal servant to the club for many years, but his deficiencies are becoming more and more worrying. Now that he has joined Joe Gomez on the injury list, Liverpool only have Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure as center back options.
Lovren and Sakho look to be a decent pairing, but should that change or should one get injured, Subotic would be a viable option at center back for Liverpool. He’s been phased out of the starting eleven at Dortmund, and although he may not be a first choice right away, he could definitely help Liverpool in 2016.
4. Lucas Moura, Paris Saint-Germain
Finally moving out of the Bundesliga, Liverpool could benefit from a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian winger, Lucas.
At 23, Lucas is a speedy wide player who, much like Sane, would help Liverpool in stretching the pitch. He was bought for a whopping £44.3 million from Sao Paulo in Brazil, but has not quite lived up to the price tag with players like Edinson Cavani and Angel di Maria taking up his position out wide.
If Lucas is looking for more playing time, he could definitely find it under Klopp at Liverpool. His blistering pace across from Ibe would help Liverpool push forward from the flanks, and if he is willing to work, it will also aid in Klopp’s pressing style of defense. There’s some divided opinion on whether or not PSG should keep Lucas, but should they look to sell, Liverpool would benefit from purchasing the still highly talented Brazilian in 2016.
5. Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan
Icardi is perhaps the most farfetched option on this list, but his quality is enough of a reason to say that he could help Liverpool in 2016. The Argentine striker has been linked with Liverpool, and although many believe he will stay with Inter Milan until at least the summer, if Klopp were to explore striker options, Icardi would be around the top of his list.
He is a hard-working striker who has a knack for scoring goals — something Liverpool supporters have been waiting for ever since Luis Suarez’s departure and the beginning of Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes. Where Klopp is trying to change Christian Benteke’s style of play, Icardi already fits it. There is a slim chance of this move happening with Klopp’s claims of little activity and Icardi’s rumored desire to remain at the San Siro. However, Klopp has plenty of pull in Europe, and if he manages to snatch up a talent like Icardi, the sky’s the limit for Liverpool in 2016.
Would you want any of these players? Let us know in the comments!
