Analysing Brendan Rodgers’ transfer mistakes, as Ilori becomes his 13th signing to leave

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2014-15 SEASON

Rickie Lambert – £4m from Southampton (via BBC Sport)

How highly did Rodgers rate him? – We all knew Lambert was going to be a back-up option from day one. And yet, Rodgers promised us that he was going to be a success. In quotes taken by the Daily Express, he said: “He is a big supporter of the club but he is past that now. He is here to do a job and I trust him to do that job. He will do a great job for us.”

What went wrong? – The wrong player at the wrong time. At Southampton he was the main man, everything went through him and he benefited from the continued faith of the various managerial teams there. He didn’t suit playing five minutes here and ten minutes there – coming on and trying to make a difference as an impact player – and the goals dried up as a result.

Where are they now? – Lambert joined West Brom earlier this summer.

Lazar Markovic – £20m from Benfica (via BBC Sport)

How highly did Rodgers rate him? – Rodgers could not contain his excitement when he signed the Serbian last summer, telling our official website: “Lazar is flexible to play a number of positions, but I like the way he attacks games and is always positive and looking to make something happen. He will fit in with the way we play at Liverpool. He is the sort of character who is hungry to get better and progress; this is what we look for in players.”

What went wrong? – Flexibility is one thing, but there is value in consistency. Markovic was moved all over the place and, as such, had no time to settle in any position. He was regularly hauled off early on in games as well and that can’t have done much for his confidence. His talent has, sadly, been rather miss-managed so far.

Where are they now? – Markovic has joined Fenerbahce on a season-long loan deal.

Javi Manquillo – Loan from Atletico Madrid

How highly did Rodgers rate him? – Rodgers said in May that he believed in the youngster but he ultimately chose to cut short his two-year deal. He told the Echo: “Young Manqui is a good defender. He has come in, he signed a two-year loan because the first year was always going to be about adapting to the league and of course he hasn’t played as much as he probably would have liked to play. But a lot of that has been due to the system change. He is a good kid and hopefully he comes back in pre-season and can work well and work his way into the team.”

What went wrong? – Rodgers lost faith in the Spaniard and barely played him during the second-half of the season. The signings of Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez this summer ended any chance he had of continuing his career at Anfield beyond the end of our last campaign.

Where are they now? – Manquillo returned to Atletico Madrid before joining Marseille on loan.

Mario Balotelli – £16m from AC Milan (via BBC Sport)

How highly did Rodgers rate him? – It’s hard to tell. What was made clear was that Rodgers, like so many before him, thought he could change Balotelli. He told the The Guardian: “He is a world-class talent and it is an area we need to strengthen. It is a calculated risk but one where we believe we can help him as a player and to mature as a young man. He comes with a reputation but we hope at our club we can curb that behaviour.”

What went wrong? – The decision to sign Balotelli was a calculated risk and one that quite simply didn’t pay off. From almost day one, the Italian simply didn’t look like he fitted at Liverpool, with Rodgers becoming increasingly more frustrated with his player’s attitude both on and off the field. Even at his best, Balotelli probably would have struggled at Liverpool, particularly with Rodgers insisting on playing him as a lone striker.

Where are they now? – Balotelli has rejoined AC Milan on a season-long loan deal.

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More Stories Fabio Borini Javi Manquillo Lazar Markovic Mario Balotelli Rickie lambert Tiago Ilori