Friday 3 April 2015 16:37, UK
There are still more than three months until the summer transfer window opens but Premier League clubs will already be busy outlining their targets.
Liverpool are no different, and former Anfield star and Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson says boss Brendan Rodgers will look to bring high-calibre strikers into the club to strengthen his forward line and cover for Daniel Sturridge, who has struggled with injuries this season.
“Sturridge’s latest injury confirms that you cannot rely on him throughout the course of a season and Liverpool need suitable cover for him,” Thompson told Sky Sports.
“It’s always been the way for Sturridge, he’s proving quite fragile and we might not see the best of him until next season now.
“Burnley's Danny Ings doesn’t have the experience to carry that weight and I think Brendan Rodgers needs to bring in a more established striker. Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani or somebody of that ilk is required, which means Liverpool are going to have to spend big to be considered title contenders next season.
“There will be quite a few offloaded and Rodgers might have a bit of a clear out. I think it will be very difficult for Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini to remain and, whether the club want to move them on or not, I think they’re going to want to seek pastures new.”
Here, we take a look at those three potential transfer targets Thompson mentioned – and the chances of them moving to Anfield…
Gonzalo Higuain
Liverpool were linked with Napoli striker Higuain in January and it seems the Italian side’s form over the next few weeks could prove pivotal in the Argentine’s future.
The Serie A side are currently fifth in the table, five points behind third-placed Lazio, who occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot. Higuain’s brother and intermediary, Jorge, told Cronache di Napoli this week: “It’s not the time to face the question. I will be in Italy in a month’s time and we will have the opportunity to discuss his position.”
The 27-year-old has 13 goals in 27 league games this term – more than Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini combined – and has won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa since joining Napoli from Real Madrid in 2013.
He is contracted until 2018 but the Italian and Spanish press have suggested Roma and Barcelona could also be interested in acquiring the striker.
Sky Bet's transfer odds on Higuain signing for Liverpool - 3/1
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Rumours Liverpool were set to land Argentina and PSG forward Lavezzi in January gathered pace when the 29-year-old was absent from the French club’s winter training camp. However, no move materialised and Lavezzi has featured in each of PSG’s games since January 18, including the Champions League second leg against Chelsea, where he provided the cross for David Luiz’s goal.
However, despite being deployed as part of a front three alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, Lavezzi has managed just four goals in 23 appearances in Ligue 1 this season.
His pace and creativity would prove useful assets for Rodgers – but Tottenham are also reported by the English press to be in the running for his signature.
Sky Bet's transfer odds on Lavezzi signing for Liverpool - 8/1
Edinson Cavani
PSG signed Cavani for a reported £55m in the summer of 2013, but the former Napoli frontman has found himself pushed to the right of a front three in the French capital, with Swedish superstar Ibrahimovic in the central role.
The Uruguay striker scored 78 goals in three seasons in Italy but, after netting 16 in Ligue 1 last term, has just eight to his name from 27 appearances in France’s top flight in this campaign.
Could Cavani rejuvenate his fortunes at Anfield? Media speculation continues to link the 28-year-old with the move – but Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal have also been connected with a potential deal.
Sky Bet's transfer odds on Cavani signing for Liverpool - 6/1
