Liverpool transfer focus - Rodgers looks to loan market
New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he is looking to the loan market as he attempts to enhance the quality of his current squad. The Reds have only managed to sign Italian forward Fabio Borini so far this summer, leaving some supporters frustrated due to the lack of transfer activity.
Players such as Clint Dempsey and Gaston Ramirez have been linked with the Anfield outfit in the past month, but there has been little evidence that the Reds are any closer to sealing deals for these rumoured targets. It would be ideal if Liverpool could complete most of their business ahead of the fast-approaching Premier League season, but instead it appears as though Rodgers will be working right up to the transfer window deadline before he can finally say that he has a competitive squad.
When the former Swansea boss suggested that the Merseysiders would try and bring in players on loan, some fans were immediately concerned. Could this mean that the Reds’ owners, Fenway Sports Group, have limited funds? The answer to that question remains to be seen, but it certainly does look as though the days of £35m moves are over. Perhaps the concern is natural, given that Liverpool are not a club used to bringing players in on loan.
However, there are benefits to signing players on a temporary basis. Take, for example, the last major player that the Reds brought in on loan, Javier Mascherano. The tough-tackling Argentine defensive midfielder, who now plays for Spanish giants Barcelona, arrived in February 2007 and impressed then manager Rafael Benitez and the supporters so much that Liverpool had no option but to purchase him outright for a significant fee just a year later. If the Anfield side can exploit the loan market to such an extent once again this summer, then the benefits could be great.
Meanwhile, midfielder Alberto Aquilani this week left Liverpool to join Serie A side Fiorentina. Aquilani, who cost the Reds a reported £17m in 2009, failed to make an impression at Anfield. He was troubled with injuries in his first season and the Italian then failed to convince Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and indeed Rodgers that he was worthy of a place in the squad. Aquilani’s departure paves way for the possible arrival of Joe Allen and a move for the Swansea star could gather pace now that Great Britain have been knocked out of the football competition at the Olympics.
There are still doubts over the futures of Andy Carroll and Daniel Agger. Both were left out of the squad as Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Belarusian side Gomel on Thursday. The club say that Carroll had a groin injury and Agger was simply not risked, but media speculation suggests that they could be on the move. West Ham are leading the chase for Carroll, while Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City reportedly want Agger.
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