Liverpool signed seven first-teamers this summer, splashing out huge fees on Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino and snapping up some real bargains in James Milner too.
All have featured for the first-team at some point already, and based on these contributions as well as their value for money, here’s how we’ve rated and ranked the new players so far.
Transfer fees courtesy of Sky Sports
7) Roberto Firmino – 5/10
Premier League football has been a real baptism of fire for the Brazilian international, who arrived from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for a fee which could rise to £29m. He struggled for fitness early on due to his Copa America commitments, and has been mostly played out of position by Brendan Rodgers – who’s used him on the right instead of centrally. As a result, he’s failed to register a goal or an assist yet, and is going to be out for some time with the back injury he picked up versus Norwich.
6) Adam Bogdan – 6/10
Bogdan’s signing seems a success as he’s clearly an upgrade on last season’s backup stopper Brad Jones. He’s featured only once so far, helping us win a penalty shoot-out in the League Cup versus Carlisle by making three saves. We’d have rated him higher, but he probably could have done better with the League Two outfit’s goal.
5) Christian Benteke – 6/10
Benteke’s Anfield career so far has been defined by some wonderful moments and an untimely injury. It’s unlikely that we’ll score a better goal than the Belgian’s Old Trafford bicycle kick all season, and it’s a shame it counted as scant consolation on the day. His pre-season wonder-strike was a further reminder of his ability, but apart from his strike against Bournemouth, he’s been pretty static, though admittedly excellent in the air. Due to a hamstring problem, we’re unlikely to see the £32.5m striker until after the international break.
4) James Milner – 7/10
Due to Jordan Henderson’s injury, Milner has captained Liverpool more often than not so far this term, showing just how much of a bargain he was having acquired him for free from City. No player has covered more ground in the Premier League than the combative midfielder (via Sky Sports) who opened his goal account at the weekend against Villa with an arrowed left-footed shot. We’d likely have given him an 8/10, but he’s been unable to create moments of quality when the chips have been down in certain matches.
3) Joe Gomez – 8/10
In terms of value for money, Gomez has been an outstanding signing. Charlton received £3.5m for the teenager, who started the season in the side ahead of Alberto Moreno and looked composed beyond his years. The Spanish international has since won his spot in the team because we’re using wing-backs, but this was a stylistic choice rather than anything Gomez did wrong. Now we’re using three centre-backs, expect the tremendously talented England youth international to get a chance here at some point, a position he’s more naturally suited to.
2) Nathaniel Clyne – 8/10
Clyne could well be a fixture in our side at right-back or right wing-back for the next five years. He’s defensively unflappable, and has barely put a foot wrong since his £12.5m move from Southampton – which is looking another real bargain. Due to his positioning, tackling and strength, he could also play as the right sided centre-half in the current wing-back formation, and he’s actually played every minute of every Premier League game so far.
1) Danny Ings – 8/10
No summer signing has endeared himself to the Kop quite like the humble ex-Burnley forward. Many fans complained that his Bosman signing represented a lack of ambition in the market, but nobody seems to mind having seen the effort he puts in when selected. Ings has scored twice so far, but impressed everyone with his superb work-rate and dedication to our cause. With Benteke crocked, Ings has a chance to form a partnership with fit again Daniel Sturridge, and the pair linked up excellently against Aston Villa at the weekend. At just 23-years-old, the Englishman has the potential to develop into a real asset for us.
