It seems the Telegraph have been particularly unimpressed with Liverpool’s summer signings…
Respected national newspaper – the Telegraph – has not held back with its scathing assessment of Liverpool’s under-performing summer signings, with their marks out of ten for each player.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool Legends Viciously Slam Brendan Rodgers
Former Liverpool Boss Claims Brendan Rodgers Should Take Blame For Champions League Exit
(Listen) Angry Liverpool Fan Calls For Steven Gerrard To Replace Brendan Rodgers As Manager
Brendan Rodgers’ side crashed out of the Champions League with a home draw against Basel last night, and much of the blame for the Reds’ poor start to the season has been directed at the bosses’ summer purchases.
Here is the Telegraph’s assessment, with the players ranked from highest (most impressive) to lowest (least impressive):
8) Alberto Moreno, £12m – Rating 6/10
“Had a horrible start at Manchester City, when his mistake led to a goal, but the Spaniard has been one of the club’s more successful acquisitions. Has the ability to wreak havoc with his forward runs, as he proved in scoring a superb goal at Spurs, and has looked more solid defensively.”
7) Javier Manquillo, Loan – Rating 5/10
“The loan signing from Atletico Madrid has not proved punitive in terms of cash spent, but neither has he delivered a notable uplift in terms of quality at full-back.”
6) Rickie Lambert, £4m – Rating 5/10
“The England striker’s romantic homecoming has turned rather sour: he has made only five Premier League starts and has only recently been promoted to a starting role. Just two goals to his name so far and looked exhausted against Basel on Tuesday, when he only touched the ball 17 times.”
5) Adam Lallana, £25m – Rating 5/10
“Another England international who has struggled to replicate the impact he made at Southampton. His creative instincts seem to have been dulled by the move north – he has just one Premier League assist to his name all season – and has been in and out of the team in recent weeks.”
4) Emre Can, £9.75m – Rating 4/10
“The German under-21 international was supposed to be one of the most promising signings of the summer, but he has had a largely frustrating time thanks to injuries. Has played just 271 minutes since his summer move from Bayer Leverkusen but has shown glimpses of real promise.”
3) Lazar Markovic, £20m – Rating 4/10
“The Serbian’s sending-off just 16 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute against Basel was the lowest moment in a horribly underwhelming season since his £20million move. Has made just two Premier League starts for his new club.”
2) Dejan Lovren, £20m – Rating 3/10
“An eye-watering fee of £20m has not produced performances to match. Lovren has looked unsteady and uncertain since his move to Merseyside and it was telling that arguably Liverpool’s best defensive performance of the season – at Real Madrid in the Champions League – saw him replaced by Kolo Toure.”
1) Mario Balotelli, £16m – Rating 3/10
“Brendan Rodgers probably wishes he had stuck to his line that Balotelli would “categorically” not be signing for Liverpool in August. The Italian duly arrived as Liverpool scrambled to add firepower to their squad, but the move has been disastrous: no Premier League goals, predictable swathes of controversy and now rumours that he will be offloaded in the summer.”
SEE ALSO: Liverpool transfer news