People have taken to filling their seemingly endless isolation and quarantine time with quizzes and games, all of which are hugely enjoyable. However, my household has exhausted the world’s supply of puzzles, and so we’ve had to start making our own challenges. Some are better than others, and one of the better ones we’ve thrown ourselves into was this: if your club’s summer signings had to come from just one club, where would you shop?
The signings had to be realistic – which rules out visiting Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City or Real Madrid, for example. In Liverpool’s case, this was made tricky by the fact that the bulk of the Reds’ targets will be for backup roles within the squad. Finding players who are good enough to contribute to a team like Liverpool but who will also be accepting of less regular football is not an easy task.
I needed to decide on which positions Liverpool should look to strengthen in the next transfer window. The first one that came to mind was full-back, perhaps someone who can play on both sides (I wrote about some players Liverpool could target for this role here). With Adrian struggling for form and rumours over his future, a backup goalkeeper was next on my list. It looks like Dejan Lovren will be moving on after six years at the club, and so a replacement centre-back seemed a necessity. Finally, with Xherdan Shaqiri’s days at the club looking numbered, at least one attacker is something Liverpool will need to look at. I wrote about attackers Liverpool could sign here.
So, four positions: goalkeeper, full-back, centre-back and attacker. Now to pick the clubs. I found eight teams which had a suitable candidate in at least two of those areas, with each player individually being a realistic signing for Liverpool (it’s important to note that I am well aware that no club would ever sell five of its players to the same team, and this is purely a fantasy exercise, with no element of recommendation or expectation involved.) After identifying the teams and the players, I rated each signing out of ten and from that, got an average score for each club, to find an overall answer to my question: If your club’s summer signings had to come from just one club, where would you shop?
Atalanta
Serie A’s surprise package over the last two years navigated their way through a Champions League group containing Manchester City and defeated Valencia to make the quarter-finals. Surprisingly, this hasn’t derailed their league form – they sit 4th and on course for another Champions League campaign next term.
Goalkeeper – Pierluigi Gollini
The Italian goalkeeper is just 24 years old and possesses excellent handling, though perhaps could improve his kicking game. Rating: 7/10
Full-Back – Hans Hateboer
Hateboer is a Dutch player who plays as a wing-back for Atalanta in a three-at-the-back system. He is quick and has good crossing but would be new to Liverpool’s formation. Rating: 5/10
Centre-Back – Mattia Caldara
Caldara is on loan from AC Milan and is a talented centre-back with very good strength, though arguably lacks ball-playing abilities and like Hateboer, would be playing in a new system. Rating: 4/10
Attacker – Alejandro Gomez
The Argentinian has been outstanding in both wide and central areas for Atalanta and is both a goal creator and scorer. The only issue is that at 31, he doesn’t fit in with the profile of Liverpool’s typical signings. Rating: 5/10
Average Score: 6.5
Crystal Palace
Year after year, Crystal Palace go under the radar. They have one of the best defensive records in the Premier League and they are on course for another solid season in the top flight. Maybe a visit to Roy Hodgson’s emporium might not be the worst trip for Michael Edwards…
Goalkeeper – Vicente Guaita
Guaita is a top Premier League goalkeeper. Period. It’s absolutely crazy how underrated he is and he’d be quite comfortably the best number two in the league, but would he want that? Rating: 8/10
Full-Back – Patrick Van Aanholt
When at Sunderland, I always felt that Van Aanholt was a good attacking player but without defensive awareness, but to his credit he is a far more complete package these days and would be a superb backup. Rating: 8/10
Centre-Back – James Tomkins
Tomkins has the aura of a classic English old-school defender, but I think he’s more than that. He and Gary Cahill have helped Palace to an outstanding defensive record. At 31, he still doesn’t ‘feel’ like a Liverpool signing though. Rating: 4/10
Attacker – Wilfried Zaha
Palace have a number of attackers, including Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew, but I went for Zaha. A talented player but his goal production rate is nowhere near high enough for a club like Liverpool that rely on goals from wide positions. Rating: 5/10
Average Score: 6.25
Leeds United
Leeds United look to be on the cusp of finally returning to the Premier League after 16 years out of the top flight. Under eccentric and revered manager Marcelo Bielsa, they have played some sensational high-intensity football with players that had previously been seen as cast-offs.
Goalkeeper – Kiko Casilla
The ex-Real Madrid man is Leeds’ number one, but despite starting this season well, has tailed off massively of late and is currently undergoing a ban for a racist abuse charge. Rating: 2/10
Full-Back – Stuart Dallas
I think Dallas could be a very clever signing. The Northern Irishman has been reliable for Leeds in both full-back positions this season and can also do a job in midfield, or his main position on the wing. Very possibly Leeds’ player of the season. Rating: 8/10
Centre-Back – Ben White
On loan from Brighton, White is only 22 years of age but has set the Championship alight with his outstanding displays this season. He has made defending look simple for Leeds and helped them to the best defensive record in the league. Rating: 10/10
Attacker – Jack Harrison
Like White, Harrison is on loan at Leeds, from Manchester City. He is a hard-working winger who has enjoyed a fruitful season. Certainly a talent, but not quite at the level of White. Rating: 4/10
Average Score: 6
Millwall
I have been very impressed with Millwall this season. Despite flirting with relegation last time around, they have competed for the playoffs under new manager Gary Rowett and have proven themselves to be a formidable force at both ends of the pitch, despite operating on a shoestring budget.
Goalkeeper – Bartosz Bialkowski
Polish shot-stopper Bartosz Bialkowski is one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship and at 32, could be an ideal choice for Liverpool’s number two. Rating: 7/10
Full-Back – Mahlon Romeo
Romeo is Millwall’s right-back and has had a very good season. He is quick, though perhaps lacks the crossing ability to be a Liverpool full-back. Rating: 5/10
Centre-Back – Shaun Hutchinson
What a season Shaun Hutchinson has had. The pillar of Millwall’s defence, he has proven himself as one of the best defenders in the league. He is 29 though, so perhaps wouldn’t be on Liverpool’s radar. Rating: 5/10
Attacker – Jed Wallace
Ten goals and eight assists from wide for Jed Wallace this season. An excellent return and at 26, he has time to grow. No Premier League experience is a concern though. Rating: 5/10
Average Score: 5.5
Norwich City
I think there is a general consensus that Norwich are unlucky to find themselves bottom of the Premier League and actually have the nucleus of a very decent side. Daniel Farke’s team are entertaining to watch and are littered with talented players. Could this be where Liverpool’s hypothetical shopping spree could be?
Goalkeeper – Tim Krul
Initially I expected Krul to be Norwich’s backup this season, but he has maintained his place as number one and has been terrific. He could be a great backup for Liverpool, if he wanted to be. Rating: 7/10
Full-Back – Sam Byram
I was surprised when Norwich signed Byram but he’s done a very good job at both right and left-back. He doesn’t have the abilities going forward but is a solid full-back. Rating: 5/10
Centre-Back – Ben Godfrey
Godfrey is a 21-year-old defender who has shone for Norwich this season. He certainly has a high ceiling and has the makings of a top centre-back, though we probably need to see more of him. Rating: 6/10
Attacker – Emiliano Buendia
My dream signing this summer is Emiliano Buendia, who has been stunning for Norwich this season. He has all the attributes to play in Liverpool’s front three, or as an attacking midfielder, and would be available for a cut-price if Norwich were to get relegated. Rating: 10/10
Average Score: 7
Real Sociedad
We take a trip to Spain now to visit Real Sociedad, who are under the tutelage of Imanol Alguacil. The Spaniard was appointed in December 2018 and in just over a year has transformed them into a team that are now lying 4th, in the Champions League places, ahead of regulars Atletico Madrid and Valencia, while also having the best goal difference outside of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Goalkeeper – Alex Remiro
Remiro is a 25-year-old goalkeeper with a very high ceiling. He would be a perfect backup for Liverpool due to his age and style – a very confident ballplayer. Rating: 8/10
Full-Back – Joseba Zaldua
Sociedad’s right-back Zaldua could be a very solid addition to Liverpool. His crossing is good and he is a superb dribbler. He maybe lacks a bit of pace but is still a good defender. Rating: 6/10
Centre-Back – Aritz Elustondo
A really talented centre-back, Elustondo can also cover as a right-back. He has missed much of this season through injury and that would be a concern. Rating: 4/10
Attacker – Mikel Oyarzabal
Oyarzabal is a special talent. He can play anywhere across the front three and would be an ideal backup for Liverpool’s attackers. At just 23, he would be a long-term replacement for one of the famed trio – if he could wait that long. Rating: 9/10
Average Score: 6.75
Southampton
I hear your groans, ‘Southampton again, for f**k sake.’ Well, this is a hypothetical situation where all of Liverpool’s transfers have to come from one club. However, the club seemed to actually use this as a recruitment strategy in 2014. The Saints aren’t the team they were back then but they still have some valuable assets.
Goalkeeper – Alex McCarthy
This is a goalkeeper who has been linked to Liverpool in the past and appears an ideal candidate. Reliable and Premier League standard. Rating: 8/10
Full-Back – James Ward-Prowse
While Ward-Prowse is technically a midfielder, he has spent time this season at right-back and has done a stellar job. His set-pieces are outstanding, and he would be a welcome addition to the Liverpool squad. Rating: 10/10
Centre-Back – Jack Stephens
Stephens has gone hugely under the radar at Southampton this season but has been very impressive at centre-back and at 26, brings a mix of experience as well as relative youth. He has plenty of ball-playing ability and would suit Liverpool well. Rating: 8/10
Attacker – Nathan Redmond
Southampton aren’t blessed with versatile attackers and while I like Che Adams and Danny Ings, Redmond would provide cover for both wide positions, albeit isn’t the most productive player. Rating: 4/10
Average Score: 7.5
Now, onto a few honourable mentions. I have previously written how Maxime Colin and Jude Bellingham would be perfect signings for Liverpool, but the Championship team didn’t have a goalkeeper or centre-back I was remotely interested in. There was a similar story at Sheffield United, with George Baldock and Jack O’Connell of interest to me, but no goalkeeper (I didn’t consider Dean Henderson realistic) or forward. Their city rivals Sheffield Wednesday possess an impressive left-back Morgan Fox, who could be a good signing, but the Owls lacked any of the other positions. I wanted. Brighton were another team I considered, with Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard (who I wrote about here) of real interest, though I felt Matthew Ryan would be an unrealistic signing as a backup goalkeeper. Then there was Brentford, who had players I think could be okay for Liverpool, but no real standout. Their Championship counterparts Nottingham Forest possess Matty Cash, Brice Samba and Joe Worrall, all of whom are exciting players, but I felt that I needed to see more of this young trio before making proper judgements on them. Let’s now take a trip to Germany. Borussia Monchengladbach have had a very good season under exciting boss Marco Rose. In defender Nico Elvedi, they ticked one of my boxes, though the player likely to be of most interest to Liverpool is midfielder Denis Zakaria, so they weren’t included on those grounds. Finally, we have RB Leipzig, who I’m sure many will be surprised weren’t included, given Liverpool’s reportedly very strong interest in Timo Werner. Other than Werner though, I had doubts over their other players’ suitability for Liverpool.
So, what have we learned from all this? That if the transfer window’s rules were ever so dramatically changed that teams could only buy from one other club each window, and had to do all their shopping there, Liverpool should go to Southampton Stores, get their shopping trolley, and fill it up. Surely we’re due some kind of loyalty bonus there by now?
Quarantine has got me feeling all 2014.
Daniel (@daykind19)
Daniel Daykin
Latest posts by Daniel Daykin (see all)
- Liverpool Loan Watch: March 2021 - April 6, 2021
- Liverpool Loan Watch: February 2021 - March 8, 2021
- Liverpool Loan Watch: January 2021 - February 6, 2021