Predicting the likely success of Liverpool’s summer captures.
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Liverpool have had a busy summer in the transfer market, as Brendan Rodgers has already captured six permanent signings as he looks to build a squad capable of absorbing the loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
With the Reds also expected to make a double swoop for two Spanish full backs, Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno, this summer will be one of the busiest from a top Premier League club for some time.
Rodgers may have his work cut out gelling his new arrivals into a cohesive Premier League unit, that is also capable of challenging in the Premier League – here is how we think that his eight new boys are likely to fare:
Emre Can (Central Midfielder – Bayer Leverkusen)
One of Rodgers’ first summer signings was utility man Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen, for a deal worth £9.8m. The Turk has impressed during the club’s pre-season campaign, largely playing in an advanced central midfield role, but his versatility is what will make him an important part of the Reds’ squad next season, with Can also capable of playing in a deeper role or at left back.
Rickie Lambert (Striker – Southampton)
Liverpool didn’t really have a powerful forward at their disposal as a different option last summer, which seems to have led Rodgers to bring in Rickie Lambert from Southampton for a fee of around £4m. The England international fared well in both the goals and assists charts last season and will provide the Reds with a different option, although he must step up from his tepid pre-season displays.
Adam Lallana (Attacking Midfielder – Southampton)
Southampton was Rodgers’ favourite place to fish for players this summer, with playmaker Adam Lallana quickly following teammate Lambert to Anfield, for a huge deal worth around £25m. The Englishman is a similar player to Philippe Coutinho, so it will be interesting to see how Rodgers fits both into the same team, but has shown that he is a fine option to have in the Premier League. To justify the money paid, Lallana is going to have to be excellent, however.
Dejan Lovren (Central Defender – Southampton)
The third player to make the summer switch from St Mary’s to Anfield was centre back Dejan Lovren, who the Reds were eventually able to snare for around £20m. Despite overpaying for a player with only one year’s Premier League experienced under his belt and questionable persistence, the Croatian will undoubtedly improve what was a shaky defence. A good signing, but there are huge question marks over the fee.
Divock Origi (Forward – Lille OSC)
Liverpool fans won’t be seeing £10m striker Divock Origi in action for the Reds for a while – the teenager immediately returned to Ligue 1 club Lille on a season-long loan upon the deal going through. They will, however, be keen to see him continue his rise to prominence for Lille both in Ligue 1 and the Champions League before returning to Anfield as one of the world’s finest young players. In the long term, he should be a success.
Lazar Markovic (Winger – Benfica)
Young £20m Serbian winger Lazar Markovic is perhaps the most exciting of Liverpool’s summer captures, with the former Benfica man rated as one of the most promising young players in Europe. He will have to adapt to the Premier League quickly, however, as the departure of Suarez means that all of the Reds’ attacking players will be required to step up to the plate, if they are to cumulatively replace the influence that he had last season.
Javier Manquillo (Right Back – Atletico Madrid)
Liverpool look set to complete a deal for young right back Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid, who is set to provide much-needed competition for Glen Johnson in the right back position. Manquillo is likely to be more of a consideration for the future but, if along with Jon Flanagan, he can put enough pressure on Johnson to improve his displays then it can only be a good thing.
Alberto Moreno (Left Back – Sevilla)
Having been linked with him all summer, Liverpool seem to be moving closer to a deal to bring Alberto Moreno to Anfield from Sevilla, with the young left back likely to replace Jon Flanagan in the Reds’ regular starting line-up from last season, with the youngster potentially moving back to his natural position on the right. Moreno is a class act who enjoyed a fine season in La Liga, but again there have to be question marks over the £20m fee being demanded by his club.