With Luis Suarez’s bags packed and his passport waiting on his bedside table, Liverpool look set to lose their talisman to Barcelona imminently. Even with the 27-year-old’s well-documented problems, losing ‘El Pistolero’ will come as a massive blow for the Reds, who came within a whisker of a first Premier League title in 24 years last term thanks to his 31 goals.Thankfully for their fans, the Merseysiders look to be stepping up their transfer plans, with Lazar Markovic and Divock Origi nearing moves to Anfield to follow the captures of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can.With Brendan Rodgers having only spent his rumoured original budget on the trio, it’s likely that more names will come through the door with the Suarez cash, and here are six we think could be on Liverpool’s agenda…
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Alexis Sanchez
The pipedream at Anfield seems to be Sanchez, who could make up part of the Suarez deal. The Reds are rumoured to be willing to take close to £30m off of their agreement with Barca to get the Chilean through the door, but there hopes are slim.
The 25-year-old is understood to favour a move to Juventus or Arsenal, with both clubs willing to pay big for him. The Gunners are said to be offering £130,000-per-week wages, while the Old Lady can present him with a return to Italy – where he starred for Udinese.
Respected Merseyside reporter Chris Bascombe believes that, although remote, Liverpool could still snap up Sanchez…
Marco Reus
There is little else to go on here other than remote rumours and a little hear-say, but Liverpool could turn to Reus. The German would certainly be a top class replacement for Suarez, and the sort of arrival that would signal massive intent on Merseyside.
Reus possesses some similarities with the aforementioned Uruguayan, and could be available for upwards of £30m. Liverpool have the cash and a number of stars have left BVB in recent times, so who knows…
The last goal on this vid is an absolute peach…
//www.youtube.com/embed/l-J7fEG6ZYM
Dejan Lovren
‘My head is already at Liverpoolâ€â€¦ Looks suspiciously like this move will come off for the Reds, who are quickly hoovering up Southampton’s stars. Lambert and Lallana have already relocated to Merseyside and a £20m bid – which has been rejected – has been made for the Croatian centre-back.
With Lovren rumoured to be ready to go on strike, the Saints may well have to sell their man, even though they are not in real need of the cash thanks to recent sales.
Ryan Bertrand
Hardly a name to set pulses racing on the Kop, but Bertrand now looks to be Liverpool’s prime left-back target. The Chelsea outcast is rumoured to be available at a knockdown price, with the Blues willing to sell to a direct rival to get player off of their books and avoid losing him for free when his contract eventually expires.
//www.youtube.com/embed/MIrW6u0B00U
Bertrand spent some of last season on loan at Aston Villa, and is thought to be ready to move on to further his career. Once compared to Ashley Cole, the 24-year-old clearly has talent, and Rodgers could do another ‘Sturridge’ with him.
Moussa Sissoko
Shock reports from France over the weekend insinuated that Liverpool are plotting a surprise move for Sissoko. The player himself only joined the Magpies last year, but, like Mathieu Debuchy, he could be off in the coming weeks.
Powerful and energetic, the bombarding midfielder could provide the ideal foil for veteran playmaker Steven Gerrard and replace Lucas Leiva – who appears to be on the verge of a move away from Anfield.
LOLZ >>
Mario Balotelli
If Liverpool want to fill their ‘nutter’ quota, then Balotelli may be the man. The Italian is undoubtedly a talent, but he temperament is questionable at best.
Rumours have linked the Reds with ‘Mad Mario’ who could provide the goals they will be missing. Here’s a vid of some of ‘Balo’s’ best efforts… some corkers in here!
//www.youtube.com/embed/87_Idkmg5nM