Here’s how we rate Brendan Rodgers’s Reds squad as it stands…
Simon Mignolet – 6.5
Needs to prove himself this season, but is a fine shot-stopper, and his ability to claim balls from crosses is improving.
Brad Jones – 5
Less than able backup.
Glen Johnson – 6.5
Ageing, and defensively a liability.
Jon Flanagan – 6.5
Showing promise, but could struggle for game time with Alberto Moreno set to arrive.
Javier Manquillo – 6
Totally untested, but Reds fans will give him time.
Kolo Toure – 5.5
Totally lost his pace, and would be a weak link if selected now.
Daniel Agger – 6.5
No longer the player he once was, and sadly, it’s clear that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t rate him especially highly.
Dejan Lovren – 8
One of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
Mamadou Sakho – 7
Powerful, and much better on the ball than given credit for.
Martin Skrtel – 7
Can put in heroic defensive performances, but is far too error prone.
Sebastian Coates – 5.5
Forgotten man at Anfield.
Tiago Ilori – 5
Has yet to make a first-team appearance.
Jose Enrique – 6
Injuries have curtailed Enrique’s Liverpool career.
Steven Gerrard – 8
Still exceptional in a deep-lying playmaker role. Defends and creates.
Emre Can – 7
Robust, industrious and physically imposing.
Lucas Leiva – 6
Loyal club-servant, but too immobile in the centre.
Jordan Henderson – 8
Improving at a rapid rate, a brilliantly hard worker, and a growing offensive influence as well.
Joe Allen – 6.5
A tidy passer, but games often pass him by.
Adam Lallana – 7.5
Excelled at Southampton, but only time will tell if he can cut the mustard at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho – 8.5
Creatively brilliant with quick feet and exemplary vision. Has all the talent in the world.
Raheem Sterling – 8.5
See ‘Philippe Coutinho’. Sterling’s even more talented, however. A better dribbler, with a more dynamic burst of pace.
Jordon Ibe – 6
Still a young talent, but his pace and shooting are key assets.
Oussama Assaidi – 5.5
Totally surplus to requirements.
Suso – 6.5
Technically excellent, but streaky, and will struggle for game time with Coutinho and Sterling ahead of him.
Lazar Markovic – 7
His £20m fee shows how highly Rodgers rates him, and Liverpool fans will be excited to see him once he returns to fitness.
Fabio Borini – 6.5
A decent squad option for the Reds, but surely they’d rather cash in on him if Sunderland are willing to pay £14m.
Daniel Sturridge – 8.5
The highest scoring Englishman in last season’s Premier League, Sturridge is one of the best around right now.
Rickie Lambert – 6.5
Double figures in goals and assists for Lambert last season with Southampton, but questions have arisen over his top level pedigree.
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