3 players to improve Liverpool

This weeks international break gives the club managers a chance to evaluate their squads ahead of the busy December period. With the transfer window open on January 1st many of the Premier league teams that are planning to make any new acquisitions will want to do so sooner rather than later.

It has been an up and down season for Liverpool. Publicly they declared a serious title challenge but privately Kenny Dalgleish must admit that unless they sign three more players in January, they could easily fail to finish in the Champions League places or the Europa League. That would depend on who played in the two cup finals.

They have one of the most consistent goalkeepers in world football. That area is sorted although you would worry if you were a Liverpool fan should Reina receive a long term injury. The biggest concern is the Liverpool defence. Dalgleish seems unsure who to play at right back in Glenn Johnson's absence and Johnson himself is becoming more and more injured. The three youngsters Martin Kelly, Danny Wilson and Joe Flanagan all look decent players but they are lacking a decent centre back.

Jamie Carragher is not getting any younger and his fitness levels are not what they were. In my opinion Martin Skrtel is a liability defender and Daniel Agger is very injury prone. The Uruguay international Sebastian Coates is looking like he is having trouble adapting to the pace of the Premier league. An offer for Gary Cahill wouldn't be a bad choice.

There is a lot of talent in Liverpool's midfield. There is a combination of passing, tackling, creativity and work collectively and they have won matches without Steven Gerrard. Dalgleish will be looking for Gerrard to retire from international duties to lessen the time spent on the sidelines. They are lacking a player with real pace on the right of midfield to mirror Stuart Downing on the left. Someone in the Shaun Wright-Phillips mould.

Finally they are pinning to much on Luis Suarez. Even though he is a player I don't enjoy watching due to the theatrics that come with him, I acknowledge how important he is becoming to Liverpool. Opposition defences are going to resort to kicking him in order to stop him and he will pick up knocks and miss games. Andy Carroll still looks surprised to be a Liverpool player. It just hasn't happened for him yet at Anfield. They need another goal scorer. There has been whispers around David Villa but I think that deal is a little out of Liverpool's reach. Hugo Rodallega may be a possibility come January and Jermaine Defoe also may leave Tottenham.

I'm not a scout and have no idea on club budgets but those are the kind of players I feel Liverpool need in order to challenge for Europe. It is looking like Arsenal may have turned things around and with both Manchester clubs and Chelsea performing well the Champions League looks out of Liverpool's hands. They face a fight with Newcastle and Tottenham for whatever European places are available for next years European competitions after the FA and League cups have provided their two places.