Five players from outside the top six who Liverpool should sign

As Liverpool’s season draws to a close, Rush The Kop look at five transfers that could be made from clubs outside the top six.

Red’s manager Jurgen Klopp has mixed it up when it comes to bringing players in. Some of them are from top sides, like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Others are standout performers in poor teams, such as Virgil van Dijk.

What’s so refreshing about Klopp’s approach is that he clearly looks for people who’ve got the right personality as well as skills on the field. He also isn’t shy about waiting for the right moment to pounce, and this has meant there has been little wastage when it comes to his buys.

That means the German is sure to be casting an eye across the whole division for defensive reinforcements and won’t just be limited to scanning the top six sides.

With a strong competitions such as the Premier League, everyone who does well in it can be thought of as a good player and there are definitely good buys to be picked up from the lower reaches of the table.

So click through the slides below to read about five lads who could be signed by Klopp in the summer transfer window.

James Tarkowski

Burnley have had a magnificent season under their imperious manager Sean Dyche, who led them to seventh in the Premier League. One of the backbones of their success has been central defender James Tarkowski, who played 31 times.

Tarkowski is a disciplined, well drilled player who has expertly stuck to the structure imposed by Dyche and delivered a lot of success because of it.

The 28-year-old was handed his England debut in March because of his fine performances, and was selected as a standbye for the World Cup this summer. Unfortunately for Tarkowski, he’s had to pull out due to a hernia injury – but will be fit for pre-season in July, wrote Sky Sports.

Klopp would also increase his homegrown contingent in the squad if he brought in the Claret, who would surely play as third choice behind van Dijk and Dejan Lovran.

There are certainly worse options out there than the former Brentford man, who has made a powerful case in favour of his talents over the course of this campaign.

Wilfred Ndidi

He’s big, he’s young and he’s dynamic across the midfield. Wilfred Ndidi has all the makings of a player Klopp could turn into something special, and surely he wouldn’t pass up the chance to leave mid-table Leicester for Liverpool.

Ndidi missed the final three games of the season for the Foxes and there were fears that he’d blown his chance to feature in the World Cup for Nigeria, but the defensive midfielder is now fit and roaring to go – says the Leicester Mercury.

After finishing the campaign in ninth position – just one below Everton – Leicester could have a battle on their hands to keep their influential anchorman.

The Express has already linked Ndidi with a move to Anfield, and his two seasons in the league prove that he could be a valuable weapon for the side.

Wilfried Zaha

If Liverpool were to make a move for Crystal Palace flyer Wilfried Zaha, they’d need to move quickly as a host of Premier League sides are monitoring the Ivory Coast international.

After failing to impress at Manchester United, Zaha rejoined Palace and has gone from strength to strength. So much so that Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City all want the player – said Football. London.

The real issue for the Reds is where would you play him? Klopp already has a fine front three at his disposal, and Zaha would certainly have to play a rotational role. But the 25-year-old would add more pace and technical ability on the wings and strengthen a squad that is lacking in quality backup options.

With nine goals and five assists from 29 Premier League games, Zaha has added a final product to his game and could be a real asset for the Reds.

Jack Butland

Before Saturday night, the goalkeeper dilemma seemed to be over. Loris Karius seemed to be the comfortable occupier of the number one spot and rumours about a replacement had died down.

But now, could Klopp get itchy fingers about his choice of stopper of will he stay firm? Either way, he’ll probably need to bring someone else in as it looks like Simon Mignolet will be out of Melwood come July.

They could do worse than look at Stoke City man Jack Butland, who is unlikely to want to stick around following to Potters’ relegation to the Championship.

Butland has been marked out as the next big thing for ages, but at 25-years-old it’s time for the England international to step up to the mark. Is he better than Karius? Probably. Will Liverpool go set their sights higher than Butland? You’d think so.

Jamaal Lascelles

This is a very impressive young man who has improved significantly under Rafa Benitez and now leads Newcastle United with class and an iron will.

Jamaal Lascelles is interesting Klopp as a player, said this report, and he’d certainly be a better option in defense than Joel Matip.

Lascelles is a leader who took Newcastle United by the scruff of the neck at a young age and will mature into a fine man. Klopp will like that about him.

The German has also been seen watching him keenly whenever the two sides face each other – something he’s done in the past with other targets.

Next: All Rafa Benitez 45 signings for Liverpool ranked!

Lascelles is younger than Tarkowski and that could give him the edge if it were to come down to a battle between them. Both Burnley and the Magpies are likely to sell if the price is right, and that should be encouragement enough for Liverpool.