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Despite assurances that the club wouldn't be doing any business in the January transfer window, it has always seemed likely that Brendan Rodgers and company would try to get a deal or two done. The manager was never going to advertise their interests or how much money they would be willing to spend, and with more than a few needs in the current squad, it would be in Liverpool's best interests to try to address those concerns as soon as possible.
As of today--the first actual day that the window is open--the only thing anyone actually knows is that Steven Gerrard will be off at season's end, but Rodgers' side appears to have more than enough midfield depth at current to cope with what's likely to be a reduced role for the captain over the last few months. Most would hope there's an approach for a goalkeeper and striker, as both areas are in desperate need of strengthening for both short- and long-term. The perfect fit might not be available this month, but if it is, it would be nice to see the club try to make it happen.
That's what they're apparently doing when it comes to a target that's long been linked with a move to Merseyside, though not necessarily one that addresses the aforementioned needs. After failing to come to terms last summer, Liverpool are now back in for Bayern Munich and Swiss international forward Xherdan Shaqiri:
Shaqiri: now only Inter and Liverpool #LFC in the race. Next week new meetings. No more Juventus, trying for Sneijder with Galatasaray #Gala
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2015
It had reportedly been a three-team race up until today, but with the Serie A leaders moving on, Liverpool will now find themselves competing directly with an Inter team that is in similar circumstances. Roberto Mancini has recently been appointed to try to bring hope back into another underwhelming season, as they currently sit 11th on 21 points. That is only six points back of the third spot, however, and a player of Shaqiri's quality could inject some life into the campaign.
For Liverpool it would be a success in that they would finally get a player they had been chasing for awhile, but there doesn't appear to be any other need than that to continue their pursuit. This squad has players for both now and the future in the role Shaqiri would play, and while he's a player of undoubted quality, it would be nice to see the club strengthen in other areas.
Whether or not those become available is another discussion, but for the time being, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if Liverpool went the way of Juventus and spent their energy--and money--elsewhere.
