Anfield Red

It’s as clear as a washed window, Liverpool need to strengthen their squad. In the summer Liverpool’s transfer activity will be vital just as it was in the summer of 2001 and 2002.

After winning the UEFA Cup and finishing second in the Premiership, Liverpool didn’t buy wisely. In 2002 were we needed a final push we bought El-Hadji Diouf, Salif Diao and Bruno’ The Next Zinadine Zidane’ Cheyrou. These transfers today are reflected on a huge loss and laughable. Looking back on the transfer Gerard Houllier made we see player with plenty of potential but players who did not fulfil their potential. The only signing during these two years that still remain at Liverpool are Jerzy Dudek and John Arne Riise. Five are out on loan. Liverpool missed out on some very talented players like Cristiano Ronaldo (cough, cough). So where did it all go wrong. Gerard Houllier bought player on reputation and over hype. El Hadji Diouf and Bruno Cheyrou are prime examples. Diouf was over hyped because of one good tournament and Bruno Cheyrou; well you all have your own opinions.

Rafa however does not buy player on reputation, Morientes does not count because he was playing well for Monaco. Rafa does not buy players with reputations he buys player that would suit his team. Some Liverpool fans want names but Liverpool do not need names they need trophies. So how do we get trophies. We need a goal scorer. There are six that come in mind. Two of those players we have, Robbie Fowler and Djibril Cisse. Yes, Djibril Cisse. He has rarely started consecutive games. Rafa stated that to get a player scoring and playing well you need to play him regulary. Morientes has played regularly but no goals. Now we need a change, start with Cisse. Option 3, Michael Owen. He has proved he can score goals in the premiership, however two problems. One he does not  suit Rafa’s style and two, he is injury prone. Option 4 Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Suits Rafa’s style, powerful, pacey, target man, can hold up the ball but today premiership players are overpriced so we may have to pay around £15m for a player worth £7m in the summer, the same value as Crouch apparently. Option 5 Dirk Kuyt. Exactly the same as Yakubu however will he want to come to Liverpool?

Option 6 David Villa. He was a Liverpool target before Morientes and in the summer but the transfer interest wasn’t followed. How he is one of the top-scorers in La Liga. He has fired Valencia into 2nd in La Liga. All these options are expensive so it is vital the board back Rafa.

I personally want two of the following Villa, Kuyt or Yakubu. With Morientes leaving and sadly so Cisse, who will show his potential at another club.