Ranking Liverpool’s seven 2015 summer signings from 7-1: Firmino only makes no.3

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Considering that two of last summer’s signings missed virtually the entire campaign injured, our summer recruitment in 2015 was pretty decent – studying this list.

Below, @Jordan_AC90 has ranked the transfers based on their success and potential going forward, against their price-tag – to form EOTK’s definitive top 7!

7) Adam Bogdan

Signed on the back of a good performance in the FA Cup against us, Bogdan has been woeful when called upon, sadly. High profile mistakes against Watford and Exeter saw him demoted to third choice behind Danny Ward.

6) Christian Benteke

Liverpool’s primary task now is to recoup most of the £32.5m spent on the Belgian striker. Benteke scored ten goals, but couldn’t adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s style and often looked lost up top on his own. Will do well at a club that plays to his strengths, but under Klopp, that won’t be Liverpool. Hopefully he won’t come to back to haunt us if we sell him to a Premier League rival, but it’s a distinct possibility and something we’ll likely have to accept if we want a sizeable fee this summer.

5) Danny Ings

Started really promisingly, but an ACL injury decimated his season when he was sitting pretty on three goals – ready to push on. We can only properly judge Ings when he’s had time under Klopp, but the forward’s characteristics, mentality and terrific work-rate suit the manager. We can see him becoming a valuable bench option rather than a starter though, especially with Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi around.

4) Joe Gomez

We’re putting Gomez ahead of Ings because we’re that bit more excited about his future. The England Under-21 centre-back had forced Alberto Moreno out of the starting XI at left-back at the start of the season, but has yet to feature under Klopp due to injury. Stupendously talented, Gomez has the ability to become either a ball-playing centre-half in the Rio Ferdinand mould or a strong, defensive fullback. We’d love his long-term future to be in the middle.

3) Roberto Firmino

In terms of excitement and potential to develop into one of the Premier League’s best players, Firmino is our favourite of the summer signings, but due to his £29m price-tag and inconsistency, he’s down at 3). 11 goals and nine assists for the 24-year-old Brazilian in total shows enormous promise, but if he hadn’t endured such a slow start, and a few niggling injuries, those numbers would have been even better. When on song, defenders can’t get near him – but he needs to put in less ‘poor’ performances next season – as Firmino gives the ball away too much when he’s not feeling it.

2) James Milner

Milner didn’t cost us a penny in transfer fees, but has contributed seven goals and 14 assists in all competitions – a terrific return for a 30-year-old labelled ‘uncreative’ by many. Milner isn’t pretty, but he’s mightily effective, and bar the Europa League Final (when everybody let themselves down), he’s led us courageously in Jordan Henderson’s absence. Next term, he’ll be very handy for Klopp, able to play on either flank or as a central midfielder. We actually prefer him wide.

1) Nathaniel Clyne

Mr, reliable gets the no.1 spot, for us. Clyne’s been a model of consistency, while his team-mates’ performances have fluctuated on a seemingly weekly basis. Clyne’s not fancy, but he’s a great engine, doesn’t get injured and is defensively sound – something we could badly do with at left-back as well. If Clyne can start providing a little more quality when he gets close to the opposition area, we’d be talking about one of the best right-backs in the business. For £12m, an excellent bit of business.

More Stories Adam Bogdan Christian Benteke Danny Ings James Milner Joe Gomez Nathaniel Clyne Roberto Firmino