With the top four looking increasingly unachievable (although we’re not giving up hope yet), fans’ attentions will turn to a potentially exciting summer of transfer business.
Brendan Rodgers is adamant that the owners will back him, and wants big name arrivals signed in time for the 2015/16 campaign.
‘Now we have to look to improve the squad and it’s always great if you can get marquee players to come in and help you. The owners will support that,’ the Northern Irishman said yesterday (via Sky Sports).
The man most consistently linked, and the player to have got supporters most excited, is PSV’s Dutch international forward Memphis Depay, who yesterday ‘liked’ the idea of a Liverpool move on social media (via Liverpool Echo).
So who is the 21-year-old, and is he worth the scramble for his signature…?
Position, style and attributes:
Depay is a modern day ‘wing-forward’. Playing wide in a 4-3-3, the international attacker starts out on the left, but is given permission to freely roam the forward line and get into the box at every possible opportunity. Like Cristiano Ronaldo does for Real Madrid, Eden Hazard does for Chelsea and Neymar does for Barcelona for instance.
He’s right-footed, so scores most of his goals by cutting in from his flank and shooting on his favoured boot.
Depay’s physical and technical characteristics are perfect for this role. He’s rapid, has the skills to dribble and beat a full-back, possesses the creativity and vision to feed team-mates and has a ruthless streak in front of goal – aided by a thunderous shot from distance.
He’s direct, too. Depay nearly always turns towards the opposition goal when given the ball, and looks to take on an opponent and get off a shot on goal.