LFC: Who's In and Who's Out January 2014

In:

Center Midfield:

With the likes of Jordan Henderson recently finding great form for the reds, competition for places in the center of midfield are hard to find nowadays at Anfield. Yet Rodgers is still on the look out for more strength in depth in the midfield, with Steven Gerrard needing a rest here and there as his magic cannot go on forever, although we would very much wish it could. We have seen the resurgence of Henderson this season and he has shown he is excelling under Brendan. With Coutinho being one of the signings of Rodgers' reign so far, buying a center midfielder might not be a huge priority as first expected, but to compete in some of the big competitions you will need strength in the squad and that's what Brendan is looking for come January.

Will Hughes (18, Derby)

Will Hughes is an emerging superstar in the English game and with Barcelona reportedly showing interest last summer, we can see why. The 18 year old has taken the Championship by storm, with a move to a big club inevitable. Rodgers has recently shown interest in youngster, who plays the play maker role in the center of midfield.

Adam Lallana (25, Southampton)

Another Englishman. What a season it has been for the Southampton midfielder. A call-up to the England squad followed up a string of MOTM performances in the league, Lallana's form has alerted some of the big teams including Liverpool and Arsenal. Liverpool have also been linked with Lallana's team-mate Jay Rodriguez,but Lallana beats him in every aspect in my opinion. Great skill, an eye for a pass and also pops up with goals. At 25, could he be too pricey to alert Rodgers come January?

Javier Pastore (24, PSG)

At 36.9 million, Pastore was the first big signing under the new ownership of PSG. Since then, he has failed to make a name for himself in France, which has alerted some top clubs, also Rodgers, who is a huge fan of the Argentinian. Valued at 24 million, Pastore could fill some of the runs Gerrard used to make. I think it would be a massive signing and would show the other top teams that we can compete and that we have the money to do so.

Striker:

With the best strike partnership in the Premier League in SAS, Liverpool can't complain about the current form of their strikers. Suarez and Sturridge have both been on unstoppable form. With Coutinho in behind the 2, i cannot see a better attacking trio at the moment in the Premier League. Saying all that, i still think we need another world class striker, someone prolific in front of goal and that can get you goals. If the worst happens and one of the SAS gets injured, we don't really have the back up in that position to replace a Suarez or Sturridge, and that's why i think a striker is needed come January, and we will look to Rodgers and the owners in whether they will splash the cash or not.

Christian Benteke (22, A. Villa)

Recent form doesn't show well, and most of you wouldn't agree with this, but i think Benteke is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He has got it all. He's good with the ball in his feet, strong and good with his head, and he's still only 22, which is astonishing. With Arsenal and Chelsea both keen to strengthen their attack, Liverpool may face a bidding war for the Belgian, who if we manage to sign, would guarantee us Champions League football, if not even more.

K. Mitroglou (25, Olympiakos)

Some of you may not know who this man is, but if you look at Mitroglou's goal scoring stats, you'll be amazed. The Greek forward cannot stop scoring,both in the Greek league and in the Champions League. That has alerted a couple of the top teams, and with his nickname 'Pistolero' given to him by fans, he might face a battle with Suarez on who deserves the name more. 17 goals in 15 games in all competitions this season speaks for itself.

Diego Costa (25, Atletico Madrid)

I have saved the best for last. Liverpool where very close to signing the Atletico hitman last summer, with a 20 million offer not coming through. Since then, the Spaniard has lit up the La Liga and in my opinion has played as good as Cristiano & Messi have. A world class striker with 16 goals this season so far, it is weird to see how Costa hasn't been called up by Spain yet. With Borussia Dortmund eyeing a replacement for Lewandowski in January, Rodgers has to move fast if he wants to sign the striker.

Out:

Raheem Sterling (Loan)

When a young Raheem burst out into the scene in the academy a couple of seasons ago, people where regarding him as the next big thing, and the pressure has definitely played a huge part in Raheem Sterling since his call up by King Kenny 2 seasons ago. Still only 18, the young wizard has failed to break into the squad this season. With the squad getting even stronger, a loan deal to another club might be what is best for Raheem. I still think he will be a big part Liverpool player in the future, but experience is what he needs, and with a couple of teams interested in a loan deal including Swansea, a deal might be done as early as January.

Jordon Ibe (Loan)

Another of the young academy stars. We haven't seen much of young Jordon in the first team, unlike Sterling, and when the young England winger has been called upon so far, he hasn't failed, most notably on the last day of last season, with him providing the assist for Coutinho's goal in a 1-0 win against QPR. I do not think loaning out both Ibe and Sterling would be clever, but experience is what some of these youngster's need, and i think Sterling is the player that needs the move most out of the two.

Martin Kelly (Loan)

Liverpool currently don't have much player's that need to be sold in January, with loan moves being more of a necessity, and one of these is Martin Kelly. The right back was an emerging talent when he broke into the scene replacing injured Johnson when a certain Roy Hodgson was in charge. Since Rodgers has been appointed, Kelly has been struck by a number of injuries, and we have yet to see him at his very best, which he could easily be in a red shirt. With Johnson getting even better and the likes of Toure that could play in that position, a short loan for Martin could be for the best of him. With that little stint a couple of seasons ago in the first team, he hasn't really been given that big chance to shine at Liverpool. He is no doubt Liverpool's future right back in the making in my opinion, but could a loan spell bring the best out of him or could Rodgers give him a chance in the first team very soon?

Jon Flanagan (Sell)

The only player to be sold on my list. Some may not agree, but i do not think young Flanno can ever be a big player for Liverpool. With a number of right back's in front of him, now even young McLaughlin showing great form, i cannot see a way forward for Flanagan. When the youngster made his debut a couple of season's ago against Manchester City, a MOTM display made Liverpool supporter's dreaming about a future star in the making, but since then he has found it hard to fit in Rodgers' squad. Maybe a loan move may be what is needed, but i just don't think it is worth it and a permanent deal is what is best.

January is a crucial time for Rodgers and the owners. Coming after a couple of crucial big matches against some of the top teams, a top 4 standing by then and a huge signing will bring Liverpool supporter's smiling and dreaming of Champion's League football on a Tuesday/Wednesday night now a reality. Some other name's that could have been added including Rodriguez,Menez and more. But these are the some top name's that have all been linked to the club in the past 2 months. With Liverpool currently in 2nd place and Everton up next at Goodison, 3 points is essential come Saturday. Hopefully SAS will be in top form and the little magician in midfield even more so.

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LFC: 5 Under 21 Player's who could get the call up

Liverpool have made a superb start to the season, and opposite to last season, some promising upcoming youth players have found it hard to get the call up by Brendan. Last year it was all about the transition and Brendan gave youth a huge chance to shine, especially with us being in Europe. In this blog we will have a look at 5 of many Under 21 players who might be looked at by Brendan this season.

1.

Joao Carlos Teixeira (20, Midfielder)

Joao Carlos has had an up and down time in a Liverpool shirt so far. Injured for a big part at his arrival, he has only started to find his feet at the end of last season, and now has emerged as one of Liverpool's biggest young talents. Being loaned out to Brentford earlier this season and only spending a month there wasn't the best of ideas but Teixeira is definitely one to watch by Brendan.

2.

Ryan McLaughlin (19, Right Back)

Ryan McLaughlin is one of the most consistent of the Under 21 team at the moment. His pace going forward and determination in defending has brought in a lot of praise from Brendan and also a call up to the first team for the summer tour of America 2 summers ago. The only thing stopping McLaughlin from getting that call up is the competition, and some unbelievable competition at right back he has too. Johnson,Kelly, and even Toure in front of him who can play in that position, if a call up comes his way, he would definitely have deserved it. Better than Flanagan in my opinion, but will he get his chance?

3.

Jordan Rossiter (16, Center Midfielder)

A lot of people would ask what this lad is doing here and not in the under 18 list, but no, Jordan Rossiter is an Under 21 player and has already brought in a lot of admirers at only 16 years old. Being touted as potentially the future Steven Gerrard by legend Robbie Fowler, Rossiter has it all at such a young age. His determination is second to none and he already has an eye for a pass, a lot of the characteristic's shown by the young Gerrard a couple of years ago. He shouldn't be looked at at the moment by Brendan in my opinion, but if he keeps playing like he does, he might just do in the next couple of seasons. The future is bright for the midfielder.

4.

Jordon Ibe (18, Winger)

You could argue that Jordon Ibe is already a first team player, maybe not getting on the team sheet, but always on the bench or on the reserve squad. One thing we all know is that Jordon Ibe deserves another go in the first team. His pace,trickery and eye for goal has got Brendan itching to give the young lad a go. With the first team squad getting stronger in depth , it will get harder for Jordon Ibe, who then needs to show the manager he is fit to be a first team regular, which i think he could be.

5.

Samed Yesil (19, Striker)

Some of you have probably forgotten about the young German striker. Yesil has been on the sidelines since last season and only just come back. On the end of that injury, he had shown some good performances which earned him a place in Rodgers' squad for last season's clash against West Brom. This season he has struggled though, with the injury and now also with the competition. With Ngoo coming back, can Samed Yesil show some of the form he does for the German Under 21's and force Brendan into visiting the academy?

I have undoubtedly left out some key youngster's including the likes of Ngoo, Morgan, Smith etc... But these, in my opinion, will be the main stars that will be watched by Brendan and by the Academy manager, Alex Inglethorpe. With Liverpool making such a great start to the season, loaning some of these young stars may be best for Brendan, who is looking to get 1 or 2 more experienced. Loaning out Suso to Almeria this season has definitely helped so far, with him shining up the La Liga this season with his skills. Suso is currently ranked 3rd highest in assists in the La Liga with 5, 1 more than Messi. 1 or 2 current youth players may have a look at the Spaniard and think about being loaned out for experience.

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