Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool signings: transfer market weakness exposed?
Liverpool’s disastrous start to the new season may not be so surprising when you look at the club’s somewhat mixed record in the transfer market since Brendan Rodgers took over in 2012.
The Northern Irishman has certainly worked wonders with the Reds since he left Swansea City to take over at Anfield, but while he has done well to develop and improve players such as Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, his work in the transfer market has been one of his few shortcomings.
See below for a look at every single signing made by Rodgers in his time as Liverpool manager:
Summer 2012:
Fabio Borini – With just two goals for Liverpool, the Italian forward has proven an uninspired signing and one who will surely leave before long. MISS.
Joe Allen – Has shown flashed of the player once dubbed the ‘Welsh Xavi’, but he has looked ineffective for much of his Reds career so far, and goes missing in games far too often. MISS.
Oussama Assaidi – Just four Premier League appearances for Liverpool, the Moroccan winger has hardly set the world alight in two loan spells at Stoke City either. MISS.
Nuri Sahin – A short-lived loan from Real Madrid resulted in him spending just six months at the club, contributing very little before a quiet exit. MISS.
January 2013:
Daniel Sturridge – A masterstroke of a signing from Chelsea, Daniel Sturridge has defied critics and taken his game to a new level at Anfield, proving perhaps Rodgers’ best signing. HIT.
Philippe Coutinho – Another great piece of business in the 2013 January transfer window, the Brazilian playmaker has been a big performer for the club since his arrival. HIT.
Summer 2013:
Luis Alberto – A youngster who has barely featured since moving to Liverpool, it seems he may not have what it takes at this level. MISS.
Iago Aspas – He has really struggled since his arrival from Celta Vigo, failing to score last season before being loaned out to Sevilla for the current campaign. MISS.
Simon Mignolet – Great for Sunderland, but the Belgian goalkeeper has looked out of his depth since making the move to Liverpool last year. MISS.
Kolo Toure – Signed on a free transfer, the ageing Ivory Coast centre-back still looks a poor piece of business after some bad mistakes in key games last season. MISS.
Tiago Ilori – Possibly a decent young player, but one we haven’t seen a lot of yet, which reflects badly on him considering the competition at the moment. MISS.
Mamadou Sakho – An exciting signing from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, the French centre-back has not made a great transition to Premier League football. MISS.
Aly Cissokho – Signed on a season-long loan last year, the left-back failed to convince and quickly lost his place in the Liverpool team. MISS.
Victor Moses – Another poorly-judged loan signing, the Nigerian winger contributed little in his season-long stay from rivals Chelsea. MISS.
January 2014:
None
Summer 2014:
Rickie Lambert – Signed on the cheap from Southampton, the England veteran looks below-par even as a backup player so far. MISS.
Adam Lallana – Given the price paid for him, the former Saints winger does not look like significantly improving this Liverpool side. MISS.
Emre Can – Too early to tell perhaps, but so far the German youngster has been injury-prone and ineffective since joining the club. MISS.
Lazar Markovic – An exciting youngster, but not one who looks like making an impact for the Reds anytime soon. MISS.
Dejan Lovren – Solid for Southampton last season, but disappointing for Liverpool so far since a staggering £20m move. MISS.
Alberto Moreno – The Spanish left-back looks like having the ingredients to become a top player, despite a shaky start which has seen him make a couple of crucial mistakes. HIT.
Mario Balotelli – No surprises here, but the sulky Italian has had a nightmare start to his career at Anfield, and could already be on his way out. MISS.
Javi Manquillo – Signed on loan, the young and versatile full-back looks a decent signing with some potential. HIT.