Liverpool Transfers: 3 Players Rodgers Must Sign To Be Title Contenders

3. Goal Scoring Midfielder

The truth is Steven Gerrard is not getting any younger. The injuries are starting to mount, he has lost a yard of pace, and his area of operation is slowly moving backwards. As a result, Liverpool need a player to lift the burden off Gerrard for the time being, and eventually take over from the Reds captain. The failed pursuit of Gylfi Sigurdsson indicates Rodgers is of the same mind, and fortunately there are plenty of options available. Primary Target: Stevan Jovetic €“ while a bit expensive, I feel this would be a fantastic signing and a real sign of where Liverpool want to go. No doubt the Serbian has talent, but missing the 2010-11 season with a cruciate ligament injury seemed to take him out of the spotlight. He returned last season to score 14 goals in 27 games for Fiorentina, and can play in a number of positions €“ lead striker, inside forward, or in the hole. He is linked with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus, but is not top of their transfer targets, so Liverpool could swoop in. Other options: Clint Dempsey Thomas Muller, Mathieu Valbuena, Hatem Ben Arfa, Alan Dzagoev, Marek Hamsik, Mario Gotze, Moussa Dembele €“ Dempsey has only a year left at Fulham and has been strongly linked but is approaching 30 and not exactly a long term solution, Muller is unsettled at Bayern due to a lack of games, Marseille are willing to sell Valbuena (who could fill the playmaker role as well), Ben Arfa has blossomed at Newcastle who will sell at the right price, Dzagoev is ready to prove himself on a bigger stage after his Euro 2012 exploits, Hamsik and Gotze are young and with potential to be even better, although won€™t come cheap, while Dembele has shown glimpses at Fulham. Of course, Liverpool also have the returning Joe Cole. It will be interesting to see how Rodgers uses him.