By Marcus
These are the changes I believe we need to make during the summer in order for us to get into the Champions League places.
Looking at the squad I believe a centerback would give us more depth taking into account Agger’s perpetual inability to start more than 8 games consecutively without getting injured. Carragher has still got what it takes at this level but as he gets even older he may need longer time to recuperate between games. This leads me on to Skrtel who has matured as a defender – being less rash in the tackle but does seem to look lost without Carra next to him at times. However, if it so happens we do not buy Phil Jones at Blackburn or Cahill from Bolton we still have Kelly who is a centerback by trade, Danny Wilson and Daniel Ayala who has been on loan at Hull and who’s performances were favorably received.
We do have a positional need at left back. Jack Robinson has been thrust into the squad recently but I believe he could be the first choice backup to whoever comes in. I personally would have liked to get Taye Taiwo from Marseille who was on a Bosman but he opted to go to AC Milan, not that our free transfers have ever proved to add value to the squad. I like the Portuguese international Coentrao at Benfica. He is tremendous at getting forward and is a competent defender. He will cost a fortune but we may not need to buy a genuine left winger if he is purchased as he a great engine to get forward and back so a solid player like Kuyt could provide adequate cover when he raids forwards and at 23 he would prove to be a sound investment.
In midfield I would like Ever Banega from Valencia. He would be a perfect replacement for Xabi Alonso and an upgrade from Charlie Adam who has been heavily linked with us in recent months. In terms of width I think Liverpool fans need to be realistic – we are not getting Eden Hazard from Lille nor Alexis Sanchez from Udinese as I feel Champions League contenders will purchase them. Realistically Comolli and Kenny will look for players that are Premier League ready. I like Ashley Young and Charles N\’Zogbia they are interchangeable on the flanks, have great pace, skill and can put balls in the box or dribble the ball down the wings, plus each posses a goal threat which in turn takes the pressure off the front two and makes our attacks less predictable. A name that Liverpool fans may not be too familiar with is Dzsudzsak at PSV, he does most of his work as a left winger. He is fast, a hard worker for the team who scores and creates goals. This season he is on target for 20 goals 20 assists. We need options on the flanks and more importantly players with guile and out and out pace. We cannot afford to drop silly points against bottom of the table opposition.
With Liverpool having such a high profile in Asia we should not rule out the importance of have an Asian player [who is good enough] in our squad. Look what Park as done for Utd in South Korea. After all is this not one of the reasons LeBron James has aligned himself with us. Lee Chung-Yong at Bolton would be a direct placement for someone like Joe Cole and is similar to Yossi Benayoun. If you do sell Aquilani I would like us to buy Honda who’s at CSKA Moscow. He’s a creative versatile player who can play on the wings, as a second striker or more centrally in midfield. Like ex LFC player Patrick Berger he has a hammer of a left foot and is a free kick specialist.
Upfront I actually feel comfortable that Suarez and Carroll can form a partnership ala Collymore and Fowler. The problem is who will be the backup? Kuyt, who has a heat of a lion and dies for the cause every game is adequate. I trust him in big games but N’Gog can leave. I know that he does not get many chances but he does not fill me with confidence when I see him getting knocked around by centerbacks and I don’t think he is clinical enough. Personally Daniel Strurridge would be an excellent addition because of his age and ability but his ego and experience gained at Bolton would mean he thinks he should start and not ride the pine. Furthermore, Chelsea helped us get Suarez and Carroll, they are not going to give us a future England international which could make us challengers again. Nicolas Bendtner should be seriously considered as he clearly is unsettled at Arsenal playing on the left wing after coming on from the bench. We have Agger and they are international team mates so he could be persuaded.
13 Out – Brad Jones, Insua, Joe Cole, Jovanovic, N’Gog, Poulson, Aquilani, Konchesky, Kyrgiakos, Darby, Eccelstone, Degen, El Zhar
7 In – Coentrao, Ashley Young, N’Zogbia, Honda, Dzsudzsak, Phil Jones and Bendtner.
2011/2012 Season Lineup
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Coentrao
A.Young Banega Gerrard Dzsudzsak
Suarez
Carroll
What do you guys think??