Liverpool Transfer Dossier: Lallana Deal Key to Rodgers' Plans

After a super season which saw Liverpool finish second and qualify for the Champions League, The Reds are looking at bringing in players who will directly influence the first team.

From the last summer additions, only Simon Mignolet has been a regular inclusion in Liverpool's starting line-up. The Spanish duo of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, loan signings Victor Moses and Aly Cissokho, along with Tiago Ilori were hardly used by Brendan Rodgers last season.

Rodgers has said the additions done last summer were to give cover to Liverpool's first team players – so he is looking to bring in quality with the Anfield club will be back in the Champions League next season.

Business so far

Rodgers has signed a new long term contract with the club and even though his side were very close to get the league title, the former Swansea City manager led the club back into the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

What they need

Rodgers needs to strengthen his squad this summer in order to balance the demands of both the Champions League and the Premier League, and the focus will surely be on defence and in attack where he will want to take the pressure off strike duo Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

Rodgers has confirmed his intention to sign a world-class striker if they reached the top four, and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has emerged as primary contender.

Reports in Spain suggest that Los Blancos will attempt to prise Suarez from Merseyside to replace Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu – as the France striker has often been singled out for criticism among Real supporters.

Real Sociedad star Antoine Griezmann would be a realistic option after the player refused to confirm whether he will stay in La Liga next season.

Who could join

Rodgers has made Southampton's £25 million-rated Adam Lallana his No.1 summer target. The 26-year-old was the standout player for the Saints last season, scoring nine goals and making eight in the Premier League.

However, the move is far from done and is unlikely to gain traction before the World Cup with Liverpool keeping Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri as a back-up option if they fail to agree terms with Southampton.

Moreover, Rodgers is making plans to add to his back-four with Cardiff defender Steven Caulker and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole among his options. In addition, they are set to battle Manchester United for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, reports claim.

Who could leave

Liverpool could be set for a clear-out this summer ahead of their Europe challenge.

Luis Suarez has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in the summer with Real and Barcelona known to be keen on the Uruguayan international.

However, the most high-profile of the departures could be Pepe Reina, Lucas Leiva, Daniel Agger, Oussama Assaidi and Fabio Borini.

Victor Moses and Aly Cissokho may not see their loan-deals extended, while the Spanish duo of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto have been also hardly used by the former Swansea boss this season and could make a swift exit.

What the manager has said

"There's no doubt that we need depth in our squad," said Rodgers. "The players we brought in last summer were young players and players to cover. This season we need to bring in starters."

"There are going to be games next season in all the competitions, Premier League, Champions League whatever, when we're going to need to be able to change the game. I have tried to do that this year with systems and different tweaks but next year it will be with personnel and that will be important for us."

"For me, it's about getting players who have the tactical capacity to play how we want to play, players with personality and players who are hungry. Those will be the three key ingredients for the players coming in."