The list below is Liverpool’s current squad. This is my take on what to do with what we have!
• 1. Jones (third keeper)
• 2. Johnson (keep – 1st choice right back)
• 3. Enrique (keep – 1st choice left back)
• 5. Agger (keep – 1st choice centre back)
• 7. Suarez (keep – 1st choice striker)
• 8. Gerrard (keep – 1st choice offensive midfielder)
• 9. Carroll (keep – 1st choice striker)
• 11. Maxi (sell – 31 and counting)
• 14. Henderson (loan/sell – give him another season?!?)
• 16. Coates (keep – first choice centre back alternative)
• 18. Kuyt (sell – 32 this summer – best to cash in)
• 19. Downing (keep – give him another season)
• 20. Spearing (loan)
• 21. Lucas (keep – 1st choice holding midfielder)
• 22. Wilson (loan)
• 23. Carragher (assistant manager)
• 25. Reina (keep – 1st choice keeper)
• 26. Adam (keep – give him another season – Aquilani alternative)
• 30. Suso (promote to 1st team)
• 31. Sterling (promote to 1st team)
• 32. Doni (second keeper – he should play all the domestic cup games)
• 33. Shelvey (keep – give him more playing time – alternate with Gerrard)
• 34. Kelly (keep)
• 35. Coady (promote to 1st team)
• 36. Eccleston (loan/sell)
• 37. Skrtel (keep – 1st choice centre back)
• 38. Flanagan (loan)
• 39. Bellamy (keep – 1st choice striker)
• 40. Gulasci (loan – too promising to burn on the bench)
• 41. Wisdom (reserves captain)
• 49. Robinson (loan)
• Amoo (loan/sell)
• Aquilani (give him another go – 1st choice midfield)
• J.Cole (sell/release)
• Darby (loan)
• Pacheco (loan/sell)
The personal assessment above will illustrate my view that the squad is objectively decent but the tactics were shabby! I’d give Aquilani another go if he wants to come back as we could have done with his vision and technique had we convinced him to stay; instead we opted and insisted with Hendo…….OMG! I’ve would opt for Sterling, Coady and Suso to be promoted permanently to the first team! Reluctantly I’d let Kuyt go and I would move Carragher to the assistant or co-assistant manager’s position. This will also slim the squad down to around 22 players and reduce the wage bill, apart from making space for some new signings.
I do not think we need new signings for defense; we are very well sorted in that department! We need another good holding midfielder, an attacking midfielder if the prodigal son does not come back, and an explosive right winger which I’ve identified in a very realistic target: Adam Johnson! Alternatively Theo Walcott if he is unhappy with his part-time role at Arsenal. He is still 23 and a confessed Liverpool fan (I heard someplace). Bellamy and Downing to alternate on the left!
Okay, I’ve already placed myself on the firing line….so fire away at will! No swear words please!!!!!!