The club have invested relatively shrewdly this summer, acquiring the services of James Milner for free and making cost-effective signings like Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne. However, certain players are being linked with the club and it is worth taking a look at these prospects more closely.
One such name that has been propping up is that of Denis Cheryshev, the Russia international and current Real Madrid player. Cheryshev came through the ranks at Real but has spent time on loan at both Sevilla and Villarreal where he made four and twenty-six appearances respectively, scoring four goals in his time at Villarreal. He tends to play as a left-winger and is known for being a fast and tricky player with good close control and the capacity to beat opponents on the flank. He has made seven appearances for Russia.
Another player of international credentials who has been linked with the Reds is Hakan Çalhanoglu, currently of Bayern Leverkusen. Çalhanoglu tends to be utilised as an attacking midfield asset, and, hence, it is difficult to picture where he would fit in at Liverpool given the options Rodgers has at his disposal in that area of the field. That being said, he would certainly not be a bad purchase, and his statistics are quite impressive: he has scored nine goals in thirty-five appearances for the Bundesliga outfit and has also acquired nine caps for Turkey, scoring three international goals.
If the signings of Cheryshev and Çalhanoglu are mere rumour-filled speculation, then there seems to be more substance to the reports suggesting Taiwo Awoniyi is close to becoming a Liverpool player. The Nigerian youngest has made numerous appearances for Nigerian youth squads and features as a centre-forward. It has been widely reported that he has impressed Liverpool and the club are close to securing his services. However, due to numerous factors, it is likely the striker will be loaned out after sealing his switch to Liverpool, with the Belgian League being his likely destination.
