Liverpool have made their best start to a Premier League season under Rafa Benitez and Peter O'Rourke assesses what Benitez needs to do in the transfer window if the Reds are to finally win the Premier League title.
Rafa Benitez was again busy in the transfer market in the summer as he tries to transform his troops from pretenders to contenders and he could be tempted to make more forays in January to enhance their title challenge.
The Spaniard brought in six new faces in the last transfer window with varying degrees of success.
Robbie Keane was his biggest outlay from Tottenham and the Irishman has failed to hit the heights expected of him.
The striker arrived amidst a fanfare that he could be the missing piece in the jigsaw, but Keane has struggled to establish himself as a regular in Benitez's side.
Keane has scored only five goals in all competitions, but his case has not been helped by the fact that Benitez has shown a tendency to substitute the player early on in the second half of games.
The signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol raised many eyebrows following a far from convincing loan spell at Manchester City in 2006, but he has been a success for Benitez who moved for his fellow Spaniard after failing to land Gareth Barry.
Riera has given Liverpool much-needed width and he has provided an extra attacking dimension to Benitez's side.
Italian defender Andrea Dossena arrived with a big reputation from Udinese, but he has struggled to impress.
The full-back has shown signs that he is finding it hard to cope with the pace of English football and the jury is definitely still out on the Italian international.
Diego Cavalieri arrived from Brazilian club Palmeiras, but it has been hard to judge the goalkeeper as he been brought in very much as an understudy to Pepe Reina.
Philipp Degen has endured a nightmare time since his move on a free transfer with the Swiss full-back spending most of his time in the treatment room and we have yet to see the player get a run in the side.
David Ngog was something of a surprise signing and he is seen as someone very much for the future with the 19-year-old seeing his chances few and far between.
The whole right side of the Liverpool team is where Benitez will look to strengthen in the New Year as it has been a problem area for the Spaniard.
Alvaro Arbeloa has almost been an ever-present at right-back and Benitez would like to bring in cover and competition for the Spanish international.
A right-sided winger will be Benitez's top priority as it is a position where Liverpool look short.
Jermaine Pennant looks to be on his way out of Anfield and Yossi Benayoun has struggled to establish himself as a regular.
Dirk Kuyt has done a commendable job out on the right, but it is very much a case of square peg in round hole as the Dutchman is not a traditional winger and has been moved out to the right from his preferred striking role.
A new central defender could be an option for Benitez if Daniel Agger, who is continually linked with a move away from Liverpool, leaves for pastures new in January.
Benitez has a wealth of talent in central midfield so the only area he could look to bolster could be in attack.
Fernando Torres has been sorely missed through injury for a large proportion of this season and Benitez could decide to look for someone with pace to add to his forward options.
Well, that all depends on what money is made available to Benitez by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. If rumours are believed Benitez may have to wheel and deal in the transfer market as substantial funds are unlikely to be made available to him despite currently sitting at the summit of the Premier League table.
Benitez could decide to sell some fringe players to raise funds with reports suggesting he is keen on doing a swap deal with Tottenham by offering Pennant in part-exchange for Aaron Lennon.
Another alternative for the right winger spot could be Croatian Darijo Srna who is attracting envious glances from a number of Premier League clubs.
Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson is thought to be a target after impressing at Fratton Park this season, but the price-tag on the England international could put Liverpool off.
A couple of old boys have also been linked with returns to Anfield with Emile Heskey and Michael Owen believed to be on the transfer radar.
The signing of Owen from Newcastle would be popular among Liverpool fans, but Benitez has always played down talk linking them with a move for the striker.
Heskey, who is coming to the end of his contract at Wigan, has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move back to Anfield and Benitez could see the big striker as someone who could help take the burden off Torres when the Spaniard returns to fitness.
There is more likely to be more outgoings than new faces at Anfield in the New Year as Benitez looks to trim his squad.
The likes of Pennant, Benayoun, and Andrei Voronin, who is currently on loan at Hertha Berlin, could leave permanently.
It has also been mooted that Benitez could dispense with the services of Keane and Dossena after less than six months at the club, but it is expected the Reds boss will give them more time to prove themselves.
Dutchman Ryan Babel has cut a frustrated figure this season after being tipped to have a major impact this term.
Babel has tried to engineer a move back to Ajax without success and it is unlikely Benitez will listen to offers for the attacker as he looks to keep their championship push on track.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fan David Aston thinks that Liverpool should really splash the cash this transfer window if they are serious about winning the Premier League. Rafa Benitez should bring back Michael Owen for £3million as he would be the bargain of the season.
A right winger would be a good signing someone like Aaron Lennon and a young defender, maybe Gareth Bale.
He should think of getting rid of Andrea Dossena, Phillip Degen, Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun.
Rafa Benitez was again busy in the transfer market in the summer as he tries to transform his troops from pretenders to contenders and he could be tempted to make more forays in January to enhance their title challenge.
The Spaniard brought in six new faces in the last transfer window with varying degrees of success.
Robbie Keane was his biggest outlay from Tottenham and the Irishman has failed to hit the heights expected of him.
The striker arrived amidst a fanfare that he could be the missing piece in the jigsaw, but Keane has struggled to establish himself as a regular in Benitez's side.
Keane has scored only five goals in all competitions, but his case has not been helped by the fact that Benitez has shown a tendency to substitute the player early on in the second half of games.
The signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol raised many eyebrows following a far from convincing loan spell at Manchester City in 2006, but he has been a success for Benitez who moved for his fellow Spaniard after failing to land Gareth Barry.
Riera has given Liverpool much-needed width and he has provided an extra attacking dimension to Benitez's side.
Italian defender Andrea Dossena arrived with a big reputation from Udinese, but he has struggled to impress.
The full-back has shown signs that he is finding it hard to cope with the pace of English football and the jury is definitely still out on the Italian international.
Diego Cavalieri arrived from Brazilian club Palmeiras, but it has been hard to judge the goalkeeper as he been brought in very much as an understudy to Pepe Reina.
Philipp Degen has endured a nightmare time since his move on a free transfer with the Swiss full-back spending most of his time in the treatment room and we have yet to see the player get a run in the side.
David Ngog was something of a surprise signing and he is seen as someone very much for the future with the 19-year-old seeing his chances few and far between.
The whole right side of the Liverpool team is where Benitez will look to strengthen in the New Year as it has been a problem area for the Spaniard.
Alvaro Arbeloa has almost been an ever-present at right-back and Benitez would like to bring in cover and competition for the Spanish international.
A right-sided winger will be Benitez's top priority as it is a position where Liverpool look short.
Jermaine Pennant looks to be on his way out of Anfield and Yossi Benayoun has struggled to establish himself as a regular.
Dirk Kuyt has done a commendable job out on the right, but it is very much a case of square peg in round hole as the Dutchman is not a traditional winger and has been moved out to the right from his preferred striking role.
A new central defender could be an option for Benitez if Daniel Agger, who is continually linked with a move away from Liverpool, leaves for pastures new in January.
Benitez has a wealth of talent in central midfield so the only area he could look to bolster could be in attack.
Fernando Torres has been sorely missed through injury for a large proportion of this season and Benitez could decide to look for someone with pace to add to his forward options.
Well, that all depends on what money is made available to Benitez by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. If rumours are believed Benitez may have to wheel and deal in the transfer market as substantial funds are unlikely to be made available to him despite currently sitting at the summit of the Premier League table.
Benitez could decide to sell some fringe players to raise funds with reports suggesting he is keen on doing a swap deal with Tottenham by offering Pennant in part-exchange for Aaron Lennon.
Another alternative for the right winger spot could be Croatian Darijo Srna who is attracting envious glances from a number of Premier League clubs.
Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson is thought to be a target after impressing at Fratton Park this season, but the price-tag on the England international could put Liverpool off.
A couple of old boys have also been linked with returns to Anfield with Emile Heskey and Michael Owen believed to be on the transfer radar.
The signing of Owen from Newcastle would be popular among Liverpool fans, but Benitez has always played down talk linking them with a move for the striker.
Heskey, who is coming to the end of his contract at Wigan, has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move back to Anfield and Benitez could see the big striker as someone who could help take the burden off Torres when the Spaniard returns to fitness.
There is more likely to be more outgoings than new faces at Anfield in the New Year as Benitez looks to trim his squad.
The likes of Pennant, Benayoun, and Andrei Voronin, who is currently on loan at Hertha Berlin, could leave permanently.
It has also been mooted that Benitez could dispense with the services of Keane and Dossena after less than six months at the club, but it is expected the Reds boss will give them more time to prove themselves.
Dutchman Ryan Babel has cut a frustrated figure this season after being tipped to have a major impact this term.
Babel has tried to engineer a move back to Ajax without success and it is unlikely Benitez will listen to offers for the attacker as he looks to keep their championship push on track.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fan David Aston thinks that Liverpool should really splash the cash this transfer window if they are serious about winning the Premier League. Rafa Benitez should bring back Michael Owen for £3million as he would be the bargain of the season.
A right winger would be a good signing someone like Aaron Lennon and a young defender, maybe Gareth Bale.
He should think of getting rid of Andrea Dossena, Phillip Degen, Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun.
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