Summer Transfer Calendar

The season hasn't even ended and Reds fans have already suffered transfer heartache once again. Rodgers may deny that they were never interested in signing Depay, but the evidence is clear that he is just trying to save face. Liverpool fans are not buying it and so the owners will look to bring good news soon or else face further wrath from the fans. This will be another important summer for Liverpool, though to be honest I feel that only minor adjustments are needed this time around because I expect last summer's signings to perform better next time around after a season of getting used to their new club. Rodgers has stated that last summer it was about quantity, increasing the squad depth but that this time they will look for more quality and said they are looking for marquee signings. Here are my predictions for how Liverpool's summer will unfold.

Norberto Neto
I think that a back up goalkeeper will be the first signing of the season, though it probably won't be announced until mid to late May as negotiations with Fiorentina and other potential clubs will be ongoing as his contract winds down. He will probably be told that the starting lineup is his to claim, though in reality I don't see him overtaking Mignolet after his impressive form this year. Still a good piece of business as we clearly need to upgrade our back up goalkeeper from Brad Jones, who will probably leave this summer with Neto's arrival.

Asier Illaramendi
Liverpool will be losing Steven Gerrard this summer when his contract expires and joins LA Galaxy. Liverpool probably don't need to sign a replacement center midfielder as Emre Can should be playing there next season, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to sign another. Illaramendi hasn't ever really settled at Real Madrid since his move in 2013 and recently has been phased out even more as Sergio Ramos is playing in the midfield now. The young Spaniard will be pricey, probably 20m, but I believe Madrid would be willing to sell, though I expect Liverpool to haggle for weeks as they usually do. I expect this one to be completed just before the team ships out for the summer tour in Australia, mid June.

Christian Benteke
Signing the Belgian beast will be the marquee signing of the summer. While many fans will be calling out for strikers like Higuain or Cavani, I think Benteke might be even more of a success at Anfield, and significantly cheaper. That said he won't be cheap and will cost around 25-30m pounds as he has been Aston Villa's savior this season and in seasons past. The problem with Benteke is that he plays quite similarly to Balotelli, who didn't fit into Liverpool's style at all. The difference is that he is very good on the counter attack on the break, which was the signature of SAS last season. Plus Benteke is a menace to defenders and wins almost every ball in the air, plus a killer poacher of goals. There will be haggling of course but I think Liverpool will will willing to fork over the big bucks to sign Benteke because they need a quality striker to replace Daniel Sturridge.

Martin Montoya
I think that the potential signing of Barcelona right back Martin Montoya will be the transfer saga that keeps rambling on all summer but won't be completed until the last few weeks. Barcelona don't use the young Spaniard but they will be hesitant to let him leave because they are under a transfer embargo so they couldn't sign a replacement until January. This one will be frustrating but Liverpool will realize that Manquillo and Flanagan are not good enough and finally shovel out enough money to sign a great up and coming right back.

I don't expect Liverpool to go crazy and sign the world's best players. Lack of funds and Champions League (and our manager/transfer committee) will also hamper our transfer ambitions. I think something similar to these signings in this sort of way will end up happening, and if it does I for one would be quite pleased. A backup goalkeeper would be a great addition, yet not a total necessity. Same goes for another center midfielder like Illaramendi but he would certainly add quality to the team. Benteke would be the marquee signing which Liverpool fans will be skeptical of but one that I think would be fantastic in the end. A new right back is probably the second most important position that Liverpool need to strengthen and Montoya would be a great addition. Like I stated earlier I don't think a complete overhaul is needed but additions like these would certainly make a difference as Liverpool look get back into the Champions League next season.