Liverpool Transfer News: Aldridge Identifies Summer Striker Target

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has called on the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, to furnish manager Kenny Dalglish with significant transfer funds to build the squad over the summer, with Fulham's Clint Dempsey top of the pundit's transfer wish-list.

Saturday's loss to Chelsea means the Reds only have a Carling Cup victory to show for a disappointing season. The club's American owners have backed Dalglish to remain in charge beyond the end of the current campaign and Aldridge believes the Scot needs a fresh injection of cash if the club are to challenge for major honours again.

"There's a lot of talking to be done between Kenny and the [Liverpool] owners," Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo. "We're not where we should be and need an injection of quality.

"We need at least three or four players and others need moving on. There are some big decisions for Kenny. If players just aren't good enough they have to be moved on regardless of what they cost."

Prior to Saturday's Cup final loss to Chelsea, John W. Henry - the Liverpool owner - had assured Dalglish he has "the full support" of the owners but their failure to claim a second trophy in three months leaves the Scot in a vulnerable position ahead of a summer of rebuilding.

Liverpool have struggled to integrate a number of last summer's signings this season, with Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing failing to justify their inflated transfer fees. In addition, Jose Enrique has experienced a sharp decline in form since the turn of the year, while Pepe Reina's judgment has been called into question following a red card against Newcastle and an uncharacteristic error for Chelsea's first goal on Saturday.

"You can't give a team like Chelsea two goals start," Dalglish told BBC Sport after the game.

"But this same group of players will move on and get better next season and whether other players come in to join them wasn't going to be dictated by today.

"Today's group of players will be better for the experience they have had, even though it has not been a good one."

Liverpool are ninth in the Premier League, 37 points behind Manchester City and Manchester United and 17 behind Tottenham Hotspur having dropped 30 points at Anfield in a torrid campaign.

Aldridge, who won the FA Cup in 1989 while at Liverpool, said their league form was a cause for concern. "Having lost to Chelsea a lot of people have gone the other way and the league struggles are being highlighted.

"In terms of players coming in, we certainly need another striker and Clint Dempsey for the price would be a good signing. We also need someone on the right side of midfield and a dominate figure in central midfield.

"You don't need crazy money. Newcastle proved that. The bargains are out there, we need to find them.

"I want to see Kenny still in the job in five years time because if he is that means we've been successful."