Origi, Markovic and Lovren all feature…
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Based solely on what these stars can immediately bring to Liverpool this season, we’ve ranked each of the summer signings from 6-1, and discussed what they’re likely to provide Brendan Rodgers’ outfit in 2014/15.
The Northern Irish manager has overseen £89m worth of new talent signing for the Reds, following the £75m sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, and will hope the new recruits help Liverpool go one better than last season and win the Premier League title.
6) Divock Origi – (£10m from Lille)
Origi is undeniably talented, but the fact he’s being sent straight back to Lille for the 2014/15 campaign means he won’t have any impact at Liverpool until the 2015/16 season at the earliest. Reds fans will be watching his progress in France closely next term, however.
5) Rickie Lambert – (£4m from Southampton)
In terms of strikers, Liverpool have so far sold Luis Suarez and signed Rickie Lambert… Not especially exciting. The Englishman is 32-years-old, and will surely be predominantly used as a bench or rotation option. He was cheap, but is unlikely to truly take Liverpool next to the next level.
4) Emre Can – (£10m from Bayer Leverkusen)
The German battler was inconsistent last term with Leverkusen, but his talent and physicality is obvious. Can is industrious, and has the technical ability to create chances for teammates as well. With the likes of Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Lucas and Coutinho all vying for starting spots alongside Steven Gerrard in central midfield though, Can’s role might be peripheral for the beginning of the season at least.
3) Adam Lallana – (£25m from Southampton)
Lallana cost an awful lot of money, which many believe was an inflated price due to the fact that he’s English. The 26-year-old can play in a number of attacking midfield positions, but is now injured, and will miss the start of the season. Although Lallana will undoubtedly increase competition for places, it’s not certain that his introduction will automatically improve the first-team. With Coutinho and Raheem Sterling superb last term, Lallana will have to win a place in the side once he regains fitness, rather than be given it.
2) Lazar Markovic – (£20m from Benfica)
Markovic is certainly an exciting signing. The Serbian winger is prodigiosuly talented, and former Chelsea boss Avram Grant has gone on record to say the only players he’s seen better at Markovic’s young age are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo! He’s quick, can dribble, and works very hard both defensively and offensively. With Sterling on the other flank, Origi on loan, and Jordon Ibe coming through the ranks, Liverpool’s young attacking options are phenomenal.
1) Dejan Lovren – (£20m from Southampton)
For us, Lovren is the only of the six signings who walks automatically into Liverpool’s starting XI. The Reds conceded 50 Premier League goals last term, and their central defenders Martin Skrtel, Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho were all shaky, at best. Lovren though was superb for Southampton, and will add leadership, composure and aggression to the back four.