Brendan Rodgers’ side could look different by the time 2014/15 kicks off…
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Liverpool have so far signed Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Rickie Lambert and Lazar Markovic, costing around £60m.
They’ve also offloaded Iago Aspas on loan, and Luis Suarez to Barcelona for £75m – which could be invested straight back into the first-team ahead of 2014/15.
Here’s a potential Liverpool side that could take the field next term, and how we rate them out of 10.
GK) Simon Mignolet – 6/10
The jury is still out on the Belgian ‘keeper, who despite proving that he’s an able shot-stopper, made some high profile mistakes around Christmas time that ultimately contributed to Liverpool narrowly missing out on the title.
DR) Glen Johnson – 7/10
Johnson has improved defensively in recent seasons, while young Jon Flanagan is expected to challenge him for a starting spot next term as well. Johnson isn’t one of the very best fullbacks in the Premier League, but he’s solid, and technically strong.
DC) Mamadou Sakho – 7/10
Sakho earns a ‘7’ despite a shaky debut season in the Premier League, because he starred at the World Cup for France (selected over Laurent Koscielny) and has the potential to develop into one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
DC) Dejan Lovren – 7/10
Lovren is expected to eventually sign for the Reds this summer, although his club Southampton are demanding a pretty steep £25m for his services. He’s excellent with the ball at his feet, and decent in the air as well – and makes less defensive mistakes than Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger.
DL) Ben Davies/Ryan Bertrand – 6/10
With the Alberto Moreno deal off, the Reds are expected to step up the chase for Davies having already had an £8m bid turned down. He’s decent, but arguably will be no real improvement on Jon Flanagan, who played the position for most of last season. If Spurs steal Davies, there have also been rumours that Chelsea’s Bertrand could be signed – much to the dismay of the Anfield faithful.
MC) Steven Gerrard – 8/10
Gerrard excelled in the anchoring midfield role last season, controlling his side’s tempo with his superb array of passing. He also reached double figures for both goals and assists – and will play a crucial role as leader once again.
MC) Jordan Henderson – 8/10
Henderson’s energy and work-rate in the middle is hugely under-rated, and his red card and subsequent ban against Manchester City towards the end of last season was actually probably more important to Liverpool’s failure to secure the title than Gerrard’s untimely slip against Chelsea. He deserves his ‘8’.
AMR) Lazar Markovic – 7/10
Markovic has all the talent to become one of the very best players in Europe, following his £20m move from Benfica – but he has yet to fulfil it. The Serbian will probably begin on the right, although he’s equally as comfortable in the middle. Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant claims that the only teenagers he’s ever seen as good as Markovic, are “Only Messi and Ronaldo”. Fingers crossed, Reds fans!
AMC) Raheem Sterling 8/10
Sterling is still a teenager, but he deserves this rating because of the blistering impact he had on the first-team in the second half of last season. Sterling has raw pace, brilliant dribbling – and has the vision to create chances, with the composure to finish them himself. Watch him develop into one of the best players in Europe…
AML) Adam Lallana – 7/10
The former Southampton man arrived for £25m earlier this summer, and could well de deployed on the left for the Reds next term. He’s technically strong, and can drift around the park and link up well with teammates. For what he cost though, some Liverpool fans would be hoping to sign a readymade world-class player.
FC) Daniel Sturridge 8/10
The only player who scored more Premier League goals than Sturridge last season was his strike partner Luis Suarez. With Suarez gone, Sturridge will arguably have to better his 21 goals to keep Liverpool in with even a shout of title glory.
