Brendan Rodgers has stated several times in the build up to this transfer window that the club aim to get most of their business done early. The plan is coming in to place now, with Liverpool acquiring the services of Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas as well as Sevilla’s Luis Alberto, whilst a deal for Sunderland shot-stopper Simon Mignolet also looks imminent, and yet we’re still in June! There has been movement out of the club, too. Andy Carroll completed his permanent move to West Ham United this week, a deal I think Rodgers believes is key in this window, and will allow him to fund moves for other players.
On Saturday, Liverpool announced the signing of Sevilla attacker Luis Alberto. Ian Ayre was keen to point out that the Spaniard was a player Rodgers had identified some time ago and that he was his first choice option for this particular role. That role is debatable, however. Alberto, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona’s B side, is yet another attacker who is able to play in any of the front four positions. At just 20, he has time on his side to develop, but I feel we will see Alberto used as a squad player for now. What’s useful for both him and the manager is that he will have pre-season to show everyone what he can do. I personally feel that we will mainly see him used from both the left side of the attack and as a number ten. This is a signing that gives us plenty of options.
Iago Aspas finally completed his move to the club this week and I believe that in the coming years, he can become a real fans favourite at Anfield. Aspas, whose second name translates from Spanish as ‘blades’, is a player that Rodgers will be looking to provide a cutting edge for his side next season. Blessed with searing pace, immense trickery and a clinical finish, the Spaniard is a player that I feel will be a valuable squad player for the Reds. He can be used in a number of positions in the attack, able to play as a hard-working striker, a creative number ten or alternatively, on the flanks. This versatility is something that I feel may be very useful for the Reds, and will allow Daniel Sturridge to play the majority of his games in his preferred role as a striker. I have seen a lot of people suggest that Aspas is being brought in to replace Stewart Downing in the side and whilst Aspas is more than capable of playing from the right hand side, I personally believe that he has been brought in as a striker who is able to play other roles, rather like Fabio Borini. This is a signing that I’m very excited about. It is another that gives us plenty of options, as well as quality competition for Daniel Sturridge.
Another player that looks set to join the club is Belgian ‘keeper Simon Mignolet. Unsurprisingly, this signing has raised doubts over the future of Pepe Reina. However, Brendan Rodgers is insistent that Mignolet is being brought in to compete with the Spaniard, rather than replace him. A lot of people have laughed Rodgers’ comments off, but I think he would be more than happy to see both Pepe Reina and Simon Mignolet at the club next season. However, if a good offer came in for Reina now, I think the club would seriously consider it. As good as Reina is, my theory is that Brendan Rodgers is looking to install a fresh, winning mentality at the club this summer. Having been at the club since 2005 and on high wages, I think that Reina is someone that the manager may like to move on. In Simon Mignolet, the club is bringing a young, emerging talent and a goalkeeper that a lot classed as one of the best in the league last season. His shot stopping skills are nothing short of excellent and I feel the club have chosen their future keeper very wisely. A smart move by the club, whether Pepe Reina leaves the club or not.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks to be Brendan Rodgers’ prime target this summer. The boss has recently stated that bringing in an attacking midfielder is one of his priorities, so despite being able to play in a number of roles, if he was to join the club, I’m certain he would be used as a number ten. Our interest in the Armenian to me indicates that the club feel that Luis Suarez is likely to leave the club this summer. In my opinion, the plan has always been to use Suarez behind the main striker next season; the role that I feel Mkhitaryan would probably play in. Having both in the same team would mean using one of them on the right hand side. Suarez has shown for Ajax, and for Uruguay, that he can play in this role, but Rodgers hasn’t once used him from the right. Nevertheless, Mkhitaryan would be a fantastic signing and one that would go some way to adding the twenty more goals from midfield that Rodgers wants from the team.
Liverpool will be more than satisfied with their business so far this summer but now, manager Brendan Rodgers will be keen to add players that will make a certain impact on the first XI.
