Have Liverpool done enough this summer? Do you expect more players to come in? Even if Liverpool do not purchase anyone, they can say that it has been a good summer for the club. With Kolo Toure joining the club as a replacement of Jamie Carragher and then the purchase of Spanish players Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas, Liverpool have already done pretty decent business and “if Suarez stays” or somehow Liverpool manage to pursue the Uruguayan to remain at Anfield, then the team has definitely made the right moves with the exception of one more defender.
But then there is a high possibility that Suarez and Skrtel will leave the Merseyside and manager Brendan Rodgers should be prepared with a contingency plan. Some of the players that I think, would be like the last pieces in jigsaw puzzle are as follows.
Simon Mignolet
It is no rumour now, after several days of speculations, it is announced that the Belgium international is set for a Liverpool medical later today. According to BBC, Simon Mignolet will have a medical on Merseyside on Tuesday before completing a £9m move to Liverpool.
The Sunderland shot-stopper intends to become the Reds’ first-choice goalkeeper demoting Pepe Reina and his impressive performances last season would certainly help his cause. The 6’3″, 25-year old Belgian is at his prime and with 3 years of Premier league experience in him, Mignolet will be a valuable addition to the squad. Reina is certainly not a problem with Liverpool, but adding Mignolet to the mix is definitely a good move by Rodgers as the 30-year old Spaniard is not getting any younger and he may just have a couple of good years in him before making a move back to Spain.
Tiago Ilori
Martin Skrtel is still very much undecided about his future and so is Sebastian Coates. Thus Brendan Rodgers understands the need to sign one more centre back alongside Toure. However his pursuit of the defensive duo Papadopoulos and Ilori have not produced any results so far.
While the £12million-rated Papadopoulos have been targeted by Arsenal, which could see his market value rise, Liverpool could go in for the much cheaper option (Tiago Ilori). Sporting Lisbon have valued Llori to be around £4.2m and have rejected Liverpool’s initial offer of £3m. If Rodgers decides to match Sporting’s valuation for the Portuguese U-20 International, the Reds could land a very raw talent at Anfield.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
If Suarez leaves, Mkhitaryan could be one of the most vital players for the club. The Shakhtar Donetsk man has been absolutely breathtaking for his side and thus his price tag of £22m is justified enough. He may play as an attacking midfielder or as the main striker or as the second striker with equal panache and his versatility would be an asset for the club. He is expected to fill in the goals in the post Suarez era and guide the club back to the Champions League. But getting him to sign for the club may not be a very easy as many other top clubs are also behind the much coveted player.
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