Liverpool Transfers: These Three Attacking Players Will Increase The Squad Depth That They Need For UCL

Liverpool are back in the real deal, the European competition that really matters – and Brendan Rodgers will know very well that the Reds need to strengthen their squad to give the big boys a run for their money in the Champions League. Let’s take a look at three of Liverpool’s attacking targets – Andre Ayew, Xherdan Shaqiri and Yevhen Konoplyanka.

Andre Ayew

English clubs Liverpool and Newcastle have been put on alert as Marseille winger Andre Ayew has admitted that he wants to leave the club for a fresh challenge. The Ghanaian has one year left on his contract with Marseille and could come to Liverpool at a cut-price fee of around £10million.

The Marseille attacker has admitted that he would be unable to turn down an offer from Liverpool, according to French daily La Provence.

Ayew’s biggest asset is his versatility. He plays as a winger at club level, and a striker at the International level for Ghana. A product of Marseille’s youth system, Ayew has bags of pace, quick feet and a willingness to run at defenders that could provide Liverpool with a directness to their offensive play. Ayew predominantly prefers playing on the left wing, but is comfortable playing in an attacking midfield role or on the right wing. Ayew is an exceptional athlete, and his strength and ability to win the 50/50 duels is one of his major attributes.

Ayew likes to cut in from the left and directly attack opposition defenders with his powerful running and dribbling skills. And with Liverpool already having the likes of Coutinho, Suarez and Sterling who can play those intricate, defence splitting passes, Ayew’s driving runs could offer a new dimension to their attacking style. And Ayew’s acquisition would represent a significant upgrade over a Victor Moses or a Fabio Borini.

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Xherdan Shaqiri

22-year old Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri has expressed his unhappiness at his lack of game time at Bayern, leaving the door open for clubs like Liverpool to claim the youngster’s signature. Allianz Arena may not have been as kind to him, but Anfield does promise to be a terrific fit for the Bayern winger, who has struggled to establish himself as a regular in Germany, scoring six goals in 17 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Shaqiri could well be the perfect fit in Brendan Rodgers’ system at Liverpool and could play in the right or left hand side of the attacking triumvirate behind Daniel Sturridge. With his skill and technique and his ability to adapt to any attacking position, Shaqiri could be a seamless fit in Rodgers’ fluid attacking style.

Shaqiri has amazing balance, thanks to a low centre of gravity and his terrific burst of pace and physicality will ensure that he will be an instant hit with the Kop and should have no problems adapting to the English game.

Rodgers’ side will have to play in the Champions League in midweek, and he will need a stronger squad at his disposal to mount a strong challenge for the League title and likewise, the Champions League. And with his impressive passing range, incredible pace and ability on the ball, Xherdan Shaqiri has all the makings of a star. In Liverpool colors or otherwise.

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Yevhen Konoplyanka

The third option that Brendan Rodgers may look at is Ukranian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka. The hype around Konoplyanka began when he left England keeper Joe Hart in a state of shock at Wembley as his thunderous shot after cutting in from the left gave the England keeper no chance as Ukraine stole a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifying match.

And Konoplyanka does tick all the right boxes when it comes to Brendan Rodgers’ pursuit for a talented utility player, who wouldn’t look out of place in any one of the three attacking positions behind the frontman. After missing out on Mohammed Salah in January, Liverpool will be looking to strengthen their squad in the wide areas and Konoplyanka has the pace and the trickery to be an instant hit at Anfield.

He keeps the full back on his toes – could dart inside from the left or breeze down the outside with a burst of pace. A predominantly two-footed player, Konoplyanka’s passing range and awareness means that his link up play with Luis Suarez and Coutinho could be a mouthwatering sight for Liverpool fans.