If we needed to pick a team that definitely needs to reinforce their squad in January, it would have to be Liverpool.
The Merseyside club finished second place last season but currently find themselves struggling to hold on to 11th.
Despite recieving a hefty profit from the sale of Luis Suarez, the Reds seemed to have gotten their summer transfer dealings all wrong with their current players somehow unable to click with one another.
So, once the window opens, Rodgers will need to work swiftly, but also very carefully. The Liverpool manager would be well advised to consider the merits of signing a few of these Bundesliga stars when January comes:
Timo Horn
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Name: Timo Horn
Age: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Nationality: Germany
Club: FC Cologne
Price: £4 – £7 million
Liverpool have been struggling defensively as of late, and with Brendan Rodgers choosing the drop Simon Mignolet, the battle to become the club’s number one may have begun. Although they are turning to back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones, the club will still be in the market for some extra reinforcements.
The Reds have already declared their interest for Timo Horn but may need to look elsewhere after reports suggest that the Germany starlet is ready to pen a new deal at the club. However, Cologne could be tempted by some sort of swap deal with Mignolet unlikely to be satisfied with sitting on the Anfield bench.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Name: Xherdan Shaqiri
Age: 23
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Switzerland
Club: Bayern Munich
Price: £13 – £16 million
Xherdan Shaqiri has been a long-term target for Liverpool, and given their form, this could be the perfect time to add some quality into their struggling attack. The 23-year-old could be open to a move due to his lack of playing time with Bayern Munich, and with a starting place at Anfield almost a sure thing, he could finally leave the Bundesliga.
He only made three starts from a possible 16 league games so far this season, mostly being used as a substitute, scoring one and providing another. He was a stand out performer for Switzerland at the World Cup and would be a huge coup for Brendan Rodgers.
Christoph Kramer
Name: Christoph Kramer
Age: 23
Position: Defensive Midfield
Nationality: Germany
Club: Bayer Leverkusen (on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach)
Price: £10 – £15 million
Christoph Kramer is another player Brendan Rodgers should really consider because he needs somebody who can dictate the tempo in the middle of the park. If he is to continue to use Steven Gerrard in a more advanced role, he will need someone like the German international to slot in behind the club skipper.
Signing Kramer would add some stability to the defensive midfield role as he can also move deeper to help out with the club’s very shaky defence. He is currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and has been one of their key players, making 12 appearances so far this season. He was also part of the Germany squad that proved victorious at this summer’s World Cup.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Name: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Age: 25
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Armenia
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £18 million (asking price)
Liverpool should come back and try to lure Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Anfield after seeing their earlier offers beaten by Borussia Dortmund back in 2013. Although he has been a regular feature for the German side, his latest injury setback could eventually make Jurgen Klopp decide to let him leave.
Rodgers should be definitely trying to sign Mkhitaryan as Dortmund’s poor league showing may mean the player is more open to a move Merseyside. However, the Reds should still tread carefully before making a move for the Armenian man as they don’t want to face the same outcome as with that of Nuri Sahin.
Marco Reus
Name: Marco Reus
Age: 25
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £20 – £25 million
Finally, a player that pretty much tops every major European club due to the fact that Borussia Dortmund is in desperate need to sell him or risk losing him for only £20million due to a release clause which will come into effect at the end of the season. If Brendan Rodgers wants to see his side back in the title race, signing Reus should be his top priory.
Although injury prone, when he does feature, he is a huge asset to have as he can both score goals and provide them. Having featured in seven league matches so far this season, the winger has already scored three goals and assisted another two. Liverpool will need to battle a huge number of clubs, all of whom will be trying to sign him for around the region of £25million.