The areas Liverpool FC must fix in the transfer market this summer - and the players who could do it

From the Echo:

--

please log in to view this image

Merseyside awoke to fog on Monday morning, a blanket of mist confirming that Springtime is still to arrive.

At Melwood, meanwhile, the clouds are gathering, defeat to Arsenal followed by suggestions of discontent among Liverpool’s players and staff.

How quickly the landscape shifts.

Two weeks ago, Brendan Rodgers was discussing the idea of his side finishing second in the Premier League. Now, he admits fourth is probably beyond them.

All of a sudden, the big questions are resurfacing. Questions about Rodgers, questions about his players, questions about the club’s owners.

And, of course, about transfers.

“I look at Arsenal, and their bench. The players, the world-class players that they have on the field with big talent, and it shows the continual work we have to do.”

That was Rodgers speaking after Saturday’s game.

Hard to argue, as well. Certainly, there was a difference in class, in quality, at the Emirates. Just as there was when Manchester United came to Anfield.

How to fix it, how to bridge that gap, that is Rodgers’ dilemma. He thought he had done so last season, but his side have gone backwards since.

And so, inevitably, thoughts turn to the summer, and the recruitment side of things.

Here are some of the big issues Liverpool must solve in the transfer market.

Centre Back

please log in to view this image

The problem
Put simply, the centre of Liverpool’s defence is not strong enough. They spent big on Dejan Lovren last summer, but the Croatian has failed badly at Anfield. The switch to a three-man backline worked for a period, but the feeling is that Rodgers does not trust any of his frontline defenders to operate effectively in a four.

Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho have their merits, but even they have failed to convince as a partnership, this year and last. Kolo Toure’s experience cannot compensate for performances like Saturday’s, while Emre Can’s long-term future is further forward, surely?

The realistic solutions
It might not be a popular suggestion, and some would say it’s a year or two too late, but Rodgers could do worse than head back to Swansea City for ASHLEY WILLIAMS. The Welshman is consistent, vocal and has a genuine desire to defend. Swansea have kept 11 clean sheets with him marshalling the backline this season – only one fewer than Liverpool.

Failing that, it may be time to see whether TIAGO ILORI can justify his £7m price tag. The Portuguese defender has been on loan with Bordeaux in Ligue 1 this season, making 14 appearances. At just 22, and with bags of pace, the youngster could still have something to offer.

The ambitious solutions

please log in to view this image

Germany's Mats Hummels celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup quarter final soccer match between Germany and France at the Maracana Stadium


Difficult, of course, especially without Champions League football to dangle in front of the real big-hitters. And buying from abroad is tricky, given the Premier League’s preference for pace over tactics. But if Liverpool are in the market for a centre back, they could do with targeting the best. The likes of MATS HUMMELS, DIEGO GODIN andFABIAN SCHAR would all fit the bill. Obviously.

Full Back

please log in to view this image

Alberto Moreno


The problem
Well, for starters, Liverpool aren’t playing with any at the moment. The 3-4-2-1 system used by Rodgers over the last three months has worked well, for the most part, but there is a clear issue in the wing-back positions.

Alberto Moreno has been a constant, but looks suspect when challenged defensively, while on the other flank a plethora of attacking players have been used. Of the recognised full backs, Glen Johnson looks set to leave, Jon Flanagan has not played in almost a year, and Javi Manquillo and Jose Enrique are clearly out of favour.

Liverpool need someone who can provide width and composure in possession, but that can also perform basic defensive duties.

The realistic solution

please log in to view this image

Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne Credit: Action Images / Henry Browne


Some would argue for Manquillo, whose loan could be extended in the summer. Others, though, would be looking at a more athletic, offensive-minded right back. NATHANIEL CLYNE at Southampton may fit the bill, as could Burnley’s KIERAN TRIPPIER. Both have energy, good delivery, and a desire to establish themselves as internationals.

The ambitious solution
You could say Clyne falls into that bracket, given what he would likely cost. The Reds have been loosely linked with DANIEL ALVES for as long as many can remember, though he’s off to Paris Saint-Germain by all accounts. Mind you, if he is, then SERGE AURIERmay be up for grabs.

Central Midfield

please log in to view this image

SWANSEA, WALES - MARCH 16: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jordan Henderson of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Liverpool at Liberty Stadium on March 16, 2015 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)


The problem
Seven years ago, Liverpool fans sang about having “the best midfield in the world”. They had Momo Sissoko, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. Brains, brawn, goals, experience; those were heady days indeed. Gerrard’s will be the final departure of that quartet, and the feeling is that Liverpool need a big signing in that area.

They have players that, on their day, can be useful and effective, but who can also be exposed. The centre of their midfield, Jordan Henderson aside, contributes too few goals, too few assists, and is too easily ran. It’s an obvious statement, but they need at least one real all-rounder in there.

The realistic solutions

please log in to view this image

Sung-Yeung Ki, Swansea City


Two from the Premier League here. MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN is a proven performer, and has the steel to go with his quality. KI-SUNG YEUNG is an underrated performer at Swansea, who keeps the ball, wins it back and chips in in the final third too. JORDY CLASIE of Feyenoord is a young midfielder destined for a bigger club, too.

The ambitious solutions
Borussia Dortmund’s decline is likely to lead to further departures this summer. ILKAY GUNDOGAN has had a torrid time with injuries in the last two seasons, but is back playing, and has the class, composure and physicality to handle the Premier League. Likewise YOHAN CABAYE, who is out of favour at PSG, and Monaco’s GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA, who impressed against Arsenal recently.

Forwards

please log in to view this image

Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert


The problem
Liverpool have one forward that misses too many games through injury, and three that the manager simply doesn’t trust. None of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert or Fabio Borini will be in Rodgers’ long-term plans, while Daniel Sturridge, the Reds’ No.1 frontman is simply too fragile to bank on.

Liverpool’s leading league goalscorers this season have six goals. Luis Suarez managed that in his first four appearances last term.

The realistic solutions

please log in to view this image

Luciano Vietto - Villarreal Credit: Action Images / Ian Smith


Liverpool’s interest in DANNY INGS is well-documented, and looks to be well-placed too. The Burnley man is a good finisher with good movement, and would not cost the earth.LUCIANO VIETTO of Villarreal would be an interesting option, and is, according to his agent, available too.

The ambitious solutions

Sign Reus! Ok, that might be beyond the Reds. But promising, young, versatile frontmen who score goals ARE out there. MEMPHIS DEPAY of PSV Eindhoven will have plenty of suitors this summer, as will ALEXANDER LACAZETTE of Lyon, and Sevilla’s CARLOS BACCA.

-

Some interesting names, including some I'd never considered. Ki from Swansea could certainly make a good addition to our squad.

Comparing our midfield now to Sissoko, Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano is a real eye opener. Its no doubt we need top talent there.

 

It takes time for new players to gel especially those without premiership experience. Many new players equal poor start
in the new season.

 

I certainly dont want to see a load of new signings.

I remember the days when 6 new players was a lot.

 

There are some awful shouts in that article but some decent ones as well.

What I did find funny was the comment on how Rodgers has no confidence in the front line defenders playing in a back 4 - didn't Rodgers say he didn't need a defensive coach and that he had sorted it out himself. But yet has no confidence in them. Idiot.

All areas of the team looks weak IMO. What we need to do is sort the defence and DM out first and foremost. I know many will think that scoring goals is more important, but having a solid defence and DM allows the offensive players to flourish. It's critical to every team.

Schar would be a brilliant option at RCB and cheap given his contract expiring soon.

Kondogbia, Bender, Reyes, Carvalho at DM.

Firmino, Depay as AM's.

Lacazette, Immobile, Volland, Vietto as ST.

What we need to do keep is the good players and build around them. Rodgers spent £45m on two players for two positions that didnt; require that level of outlay. Lovren to replace Sakho. And Lallana to replace Sterling/Coutinho.

 

I think we'd need all four of them to stop us conceding goals under Rodgers!!

 

Hence why I want Rodgers out.

 

****ing hell did a Blue write that piece

Williams and Ki.........lmao

 

Those were the 'awful' shouts I was referring to. Shocking!

 

Its like the time when Roy Hodgson was manager and we were after Carlton Cole. And we all had to convince each other that he was a 'good option' and had a 'decent' scoring record

 

We do have a good amount of really talented players in our team and a few very useful supplimetary players. What we need to do is fill a couple of holes and add some better glue to stick every thing together.

 

If Rodgers had full autonomy, we'd have signed WIlliams, Bertrand and co. There is no way he should have control .

 

Ki is alright and Young is not bad. Neither of them would be game changes but I dont think they would weaken us.

 

I refer to this as the spine. CB, DM, ST.

 

I'm a fan of Ki but he;s not what we need.

Williams is average and adds nothing to this team.

 

I guess it depends on the system. A box to box player is also needed in the spine for a 433 or 41212, or a play maker in a 4231.

 

Well, we need both a DM and CM.

But we have Hendo and Can who can play CM. We don;t have anyone who can play DM role effectively (and I include Lucas in that).

 

Sometime we do not play as a unit...one of our defensive problems.

 

Rodgers has been here for 3 years - there is no philosophy, no style, no system.

 

Sacking Brendan Rodgers is one of the options but not a good call..

 

He's still young and learning. And overall done a good job in the time he's been here. This season has been disappointing so far with our European performances and our start in the league but we could still finish in the top 4 and win the FA cup, so I'm not going to write the season off and call for him to be sacked when he could still hit his objectives even though its unlikely at the moment. He will hopefully learn from his transfer mistakes and tactical mistakes this season and develop as a manager.

I think the realistic question that needs to be asked is who could we get in his place that could guarantee success, and I can't really think of anyone. Probably Benitez would be the highest calibre manager we could get, and he's far from perfect, and still wouldn't guarantee success. He'd guarantee a better defensive record but we wouldn't be half as dangerous going forward under him.