LIVERPOOL have suddenly burst into life in the January transfer window after moving for Shakhtar Donetsk's prolific attacking midfielder Alex Teixeira.
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| Adam Lallana, Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge's Liverpool futures are in danger |
News News Blog Sport understands chief executive Ian Ayre and a delegation of Liverpool officials have been in Florida discussing the transfer since Tuesday, where the Ukrainian side are hosting their winter training camp and taking part in the Florida Cup.
Liverpool submitted an initial bid of around £24million, but with Shakhtar looking for nearer £30m, the Reds are ready to push on in their attempts to secure the Brazilian's services.
Teixeira is an attacking midfield player with a fantastic eye for goal. This season he has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, having netted 26 goals in 25 games for Shakhtar so far.
Liverpool are struggling at both ends of the pitch, currently sitting 9th in the Premier League. Their goal record of just 25 in 22 Premier League games is a clear indicator of how desperate they are for some attacking reinforcements, with Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Danny Ings and Divock Origi all ruled out with injuries.
So with a deal for Teixeira possible, which current Liverpool players would be under threat should he arrive?
Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana has been one of Jurgen Klopp's preferred attacking choices since the German arrived in October. The ex-Southampton man struggled with injury problems for much of Brendan Rodgers' reign, but has been able to play more consistently in recent months.
Klopp has deployed him in a more central position to the one he was used in under Rodgers, with Lallana comparing it to the role he was so successful in at Southampton. But as time has gone on, it is clear to see that Lallana is not producing enough of an end product for the club.
He is yet to register a Premier League goal this season and with Teixeira being a goalscoring attacking midfield player, it's Lallana's spot in the side that looks to be most under threat.
Christian Benteke
Klopp's preferred formations over the last couple of weeks have been 4-4-1-1 and 4-3-2-1. Lallana played behind front man Roberto Firmino when Liverpool set up with a 4-4-1-1 against Arsenal, almost certainly the role Teixeira would take up in the side.
In the 4-3-2-1, Lallana is deployed as one of the two players supporting the striker, often alongside Philippe Coutinho. If Teixeira arrived, a first choice front three of Coutinho, Teixeira and Firmino would be the most likely attacking set up.
Klopp's choice of Roberto Firmino as front man over Christian Benteke has been an interesting one. The Belgian is always a good option off the bench, but having arrived at the club for such a big fee, Benteke would have been hoping to start most games for the club.
However, moving for Teixeira may suggest that Klopp is starting to see Firmino as his current, first-choice striker. Some eyebrows were raised when it emerged that Liverpool were chasing another number 10.
There have been a lot of calls for the club to purchase a top winger. Coutinho, Firmino and Lallana all prefer to play in narrow roles behind the striker, with Jordon Ibe the only real wide option at the club.
But this move may suggest that Klopp wants more support for Firmino, with Coutinho lining up in a flexible role off the left hand side as he has done since Klopp has arrived at the club. If the Shakhtar star is to arrive this month, it looks as if Benteke will have to get used to his role coming on as a substitute.
Daniel Sturridge
Shakhtar are reportedly seeking £30-40m for Teixeira this month, a fee that could become a club-record one for Liverpool. Would a big money move like this one imply that the end is near for injury thwarted Daniel Sturridge?
If Teixeira arrives, it would be hard to see past a front three of Coutinho, Teixeira and Firmino. It may well be that Klopp is looking to build for a future without Sturridge. He has already admitted that the England striker is unable to play many successive matches without picking up an injury.
An all-Brazilian trio like this one has all the credentials to be good, with all the qualities needed produce the things Klopp looks for in his attack.
Firmino and Coutinho have shown how well they press from the front. They are all quick thinkers with outstanding technical quality and a good eye for goal. Teixeira knows Coutinho from their time together at Vasco da Gama as youngsters. When fit, Sturridge may well find it very difficult to break in to the first XI if the 26-year-old arrives and hits the ground running.
The signing of Teixeira would certainly see a number of Liverpool's attackers wary of their positions in the side. Despite the Brazilian having yet to earn an international cap, his goalscoring record means it can only be a matter of time before he gets one.
He has improved and matured at Shakhtar year upon year under the guidance of manager Mircea Lucescu and it is no wonder some of Europe's top sides are interested in his services. If an agreement can be reached, this would be a big coup for Liverpool and a hugely exciting first, big money signing for Klopp.
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