5 potential creative targets for Liverpool
The mood surrounding Anfield has changed dramatically within a matter of weeks. Two weeks ago the club was on the ultimate high after ending the unbeaten run of Manchester City in the Premier League but since then, Liverpool has gone on to lose away to bottom club Swansea and find themselves knocked out of the FA Cup at home to West Brom.
Despite the arrival of former Celtic and Southampton central defender Virgil Van Dijk for a club record fee, the biggest problem the team has had in its last two performances in the creative void in the team left by the departure of Philippe Coutinho. The Liverpool attacking threat has been scintillating this season, Mohammed Salah, Saido Mane, and Roberto Firmino have been superb this season, and will no doubt continue to be a threat.
The summer arrival of Naby Keïta from German club RB Leipzig is a player for the Liverpool fan to look forward to watching despite his poor performances thus far this season in the Bundesliga. Liverpool, however, needs to act now to ensure that they can lift the squad especially with the importance of finishing in the top four and reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Liverpool's weaknesses are evident to see with the long-term goalkeeper problem still not been resolved by the club. Defensively this team still needs a lot of work, especially since Van Dijk has not hit the ground running following his long-awaited arrival at Anfield. Between now and the end of this transfer window, however, the team needs to add a spark, a player who can play between the lines, or even join in to make it an attacking quartet.
As we enter the final few days of the transfer window, the Reds look to be one of the teams that need to make a big signing to keep on course for achieving their status amongst the Premier League top four clubs.
Here is a list of 5 potential targets for the Reds.
#5 Javier Pastore (PSG)
PSG attacking midfielder Javier Pastore is one of the high profile names linked with a move this January. The Argentine playmaker is a target for a number of clubs this January and Liverpool alongside Tottenham Hotspurs look to be among the favorites for his signature.
The problem that both clubs will face with Pastore is the player expressing his desire to return back to Italy to play his football. The former Palermo player is known to be Inter Milan's top target, and with two months without a win, the San Siro club themselves have Champions League qualification to play for this season.
Pastore would be the ideal fit in terms of his playing style to replace Coutinho, with his ability to adjust to playing as part of a front three or in a midfield three. Creatively, Pastore is a world-class player, and with his international experience, he would add class and industry to this Liverpool team.