Now I know what they all say ‘Don’t buy players on the back of a World Cup’. But let’s face it, I can’t write a blog about that, can I?

Plus Liverpool along with many other European sides are in need of reinforcements, especially as they’re in the Champions League next season. So I’m going to ignore the cliches and look at players at the World Cup and see what ones could improve the Anfield squad.

Daley Blind  (Netherlands):

Left-back was one of Liverpool’s problem positions last season. Jose Enrique’s constant injury problems mean that Brendan Rodgers needs to bring in a new guy that can go straight into that role.

Step forward Ajax left sider Daley Blind. He won plenty of plaudits with his excellent display against Spain. His early balls over the top from the left caused the Spanish no ends of problems. He must be a joy to play with, if you’re Robin van Persie or Arjen Robben, as he provides pin-point passes. I’m sure Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge would love that kind of ammunition. The twenty-four year old has three assists so far in this tournament.

Has been quite solid defensively and certainly has good defensive qualities in his blood (his father Danny was a fantastic defender). Also has the ability to play as a holding midfielder.

Blind is a wanted man, with Man Utd and Dortmund interested in his signature. If I were Liverpool I’d act quickly and try and get a deal done. Could be available for a fee between £12m-£15m.

Ricardo Rodriguez (Switzerland):

If Blind goes elsewhere then maybe Rodgers could look at Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

The Swiss star is still only twenty-one and could be seen as a young player that could help fill the void on the left side. He loves getting forward and provided nine assists in the Bundesliga last term and also bagged five goals.

Great with his crossing and solid at the back too. In Switzerland’s opening game in Brazil, the defender helped turn the game against Ecuador with two fine assists. Was probably the only Swiss defender to come away with any credit against the French.

Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Mathieu Debuchy (France):

If Rodgers has watched England this summer he may feel it’s time to move on Glen Johnson who has been a defensive weak-link for his nation. Johnson’s lazy defending was also quite noticeable with Liverpool towards the end of the season.

So say Liverpool need a new right-back they could once again look to Newcastle for inspiration. Mathieu Debuchy has been selected ahead of Bacary Sagna at this World Cup and hasn’t looked out of place. Impressed against Honduras duo Emilio Izaguirre and Roger Espinoza, the same players that made Johnson look very ordinary only a week beforehand.

Was one of the ‘Toon’s’ best performers last season. Problem is that he too can switch off, and at twenty-eight Liverpool might be better off looking elsewhere for a younger, cheaper alternative to challenge Jon Flanagan in the long-term.

Mathieu Valbuena (France):

Yes it’s true, great things can come in small packages.

Valbuena could add even more creativity to the Liverpool attack. Raheem Sterling is still too inconsistent to be considered a guaranteed starter, so competition in the way of an experienced international who has played Champions League football could be useful.

After spending eight years at Marseille, Valbuena looks set to leave Ligue 1 in search of a new adventure. In his two World Cup matches he has impressed with the rest of the French squad. The creative attacking midfielder has scored one and set-up another. His passing accuracy has always been above 75% this summer.

Liverpool shouldn’t be put off by his size, he makes up for it in skill and determination.

He’s in talks with Valencia and Fiorentina. Liverpool may prefer to look at a natural winger.

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Colombia): 

 The versatile Colombian winger has been sensational at this World Cup.

He loves to dribble, has a bit of pace and can score goals too, all qualities that excite Liverpool fans. At twenty-six he has twenty-eight caps for his country. In his two appearances in Brazil, Cuadrado has created three goals and bagged himself a man of the match award. He can play on both wings and on occasion can be deployed as a wing-back as he can also tackle.

Fiorentina have just paid off former co-owners Udinese for his signature. That move can be seen as one that suggests Fiorentina want to keep the Colombian winger but it may also suggest that they want to sell him on for a huge profit. We will see which one they choose.

A £20m plus price tag might also be an issue.

Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico):

If Liverpool manage to offload Pepe Reina this pre-season, then they’ll need to bring in a strong number two that can challenge Simon Mignolet.

The Mexican keeper had an outstanding performance against the hosts Brazil. He kept a cleansheet and made a few standout saves. He also managed to not to concede against the Cameroon in their first group match.

Very good at saving penalties and would be available for a free after leaving Ajaccio at the end of the season.

Is a player for the big occasion but be warned he did concede over seventy goals in Ligue 1 last term.

Posted on June 21st, 2014 by scott
Filed under: Article, World Cup