Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be looking to strengthen his squad again this summer…
Liverpool spent heavily last summer as manager Brendan Rodgers prepped his team for a return to Champions League football, as well as the quest to retain our top four status and win a trophy.
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After a slow start, the vast majority of his summer signings have come good – with the likes of Emre Can and Alberto Moreno particularly impressing. But with another long season likely to be ahead of us in 2015-16, the Northern Irishman would be foolish not to strengthen again, if he can afford to do so.
In the list below, we analyse each position within the Liverpool team, note its current strength, and suggest when and where we might improve upon what we already have.
Goalkeeper
Current Crop: Simon Mignolet, Brad Jones, Danny Ward
Strength In Depth: 5/10
Judgement: Simon Mignolet’s timely revival – which has seen him re-emerge as a top class goalkeeper – has lessened the need for us to strengthen in this area. Some stronger competition for the Belgian would not go amiss, especially considering Brad Jones’ recent injury problems, but it’s not as pressing a concern as it once was. Mignolet is definitely the number one, and the Australian can continue to cover for the time being.
Full-Backs
Current Crop: Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique, Alberto Moreno, Javier Manquillo, Andre Wisdom, Jon Flanagan
Strength In Depth: 4/10
Judgement: Johnson, Enrique and Flanagan have all had their game-time reduced by injuries so far this season, and all three are out of contract within the next 18 months. Manquillo has failed to shine since his loan move from Atletico Madrid, while there’s no guarantees that Rodgers sees Wisdom as part of his first-team plans. However, our current 3-4-3 formation lessens the need for strength in depth in this area, and a replacement is not urgent.
Centre-Backs
Current Crop: Kolo Toure, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel
Strength In Depth: 7/10
Judgement: Toure is out of contract at the end of the season, but he is the only potential departure out of our current quartet. Skrtel and Sakho have both been excellent so far this season, while the latter will likely continue to improve as he progresses with his development. Lovren has made a slow start since his summer move from Southampton, but will surely be given another chance to impress following his £20m switch.
Central Midfield
Current Crop: Steven Gerrard (leaving), Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Emre Can, Joe Allen
Strength In Depth: 6/10
Judgement: Replacing Steven Gerrard will be Liverpool’s number one priority over the summer. Emre Can could make the step up out of the back three to feature in the midfield, but Rodgers is likely to want some proven quality to replace his long-serving captain. Jordan Henderson is the obvious choice to take the captains armband, while Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen should have done enough to prove they should keep their places in the squad.
Attacking Midfield
Current Crop: Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Jordon Ibe, Lazar Markovic
Strength In Depth: 8/10
Judgement: We’re perhaps short on a little bit of natural width. Ibe and Markovic are still young and learning, while Sterling has arguably proved that he deserves to be played in a more central role, where he can have a greater influence on games. Coutinho has been sensational so far this season, but Lallana has some work to do to prove that he belongs. A player who can stretch full-backs and can also track back would be the ideal addition.
Strikers
Current Crop: Daniel Sturridge, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli, Divock Origi
Strength In Depth: 6/10
Judgement: Just as it was last summer, finding a quality front-man has to be high up on Brendan Rodgers priority list. He has Belgian teenager Divock Origi returning from his season-long loan spell with Lille, but having only managed seven goals in all competitions this season, there’s no guarantees that he’s going to take the Premier League by storm. Lambert, Borini and Balotelli have all struggled for goals, while Sturridge has been held back by injuries. Finding a top player within our price range will be a challenge, but one that Rodgers must take on.
