John Aldridge: £25m Signing Would Get Liverpool Fans Excited

John Aldridge believes that Liverpool will be able to boast a successful transfer window if the side can confirm a marquee signing before 11pm on deadline day next Monday.

The Reds have been clear about being on a tight budget this summer as the club look to recoup funds lost on some of Kenny Dalglish's big-money signings who have subsequently been sold on for a fraction of their fees since he left the club.

Liverpool have so far spent €26.8m on five players in the current window, bringing in Kolo Toure on a free transfer and Aly Cissokho on loan. They appeared to be close to agreeing a huge deal for Brazilian winger Willian but the Anzhi Makhachkala star chose a move to Tottenham instead and then eventually joined Chelsea after a last minute swoop by the west London side.

And Aldridge admits he is still hopeful that Liverpool have a back-up plan in preparation for deadline day and will bring in a signing who can give them a serious chance of catching the top four.

"Like most Liverpool fans, I have been left frustrated to see yet another transfer target get away," he said in the Liverpool Echo. "This time it is the Brazilian Willian who has joined Chelsea.

"The club's owners are in credit this summer and have slashed the wage bill massively from 12 months ago.

"But there has been no marquee signing. We are in a good position after two games and the return of Luis Suarez will give everyone a lift."

He continued: "But what will give every Red out there an even bigger lift is a major signing before the end of the transfer window on Monday night.

"A player who costs between £25-30m and gets the fans excited.

"Liverpool is a massive club and the fans are becoming disgruntled, disillusioned and are putting question marks against the owners."

Former Red Aldridge was one of many to be disappointed by the club missing out on Willian, particularly when he chose a Spurs side who equally can't offer Champions League football this season.

But with Liverpool unable to offer European football at all to incoming players, Brendan Rodgers faces an uphill battle trying to acquire stars who are highly sought after by clubs currently entrenched in the top four.