Being Brendan Rodgers for this summer might be the most exciting yet the most difficult job. There is money to spend, but to spend it wisely is the most important thing. Buying players who are not only individually good but add to the style and system of Liverpool way is very important. Keeping these things in mind any upgrade will be welcome.
So I set out to try to be in his shoes and see what I can do. Which players I would move on and which players I would keep. Below is what I would do .
Goalkeepers
Existing Players : Mignolet, Jones, Reina
Targets : Vorm, Marshall
I would keep Mignolet and Jones but I would like to buy a good keeper with quality. The two easily gettable are probably Marshall and Vorm. I would go for Vorm due to the fact that he is very good with is feet, something which is a major weakness of Mignolet.
Reina will be sold
Total outlay on Goal keeper : 6m - 6m = NIL
Right Back
Existing Players : Johnson, Kelly, Wisdom, Flannagan
Targets : Coleman, Montoya, Rafinha, Walker,
This is a very important position, the way we play we need to have penetration from wings for teams which park the bus. No overlaps and no skill near the byline cost liverpool dear at both wings. However that has been due to Johnsons form and his injuries. I would make this position my priority, look for a good wing back. Coleman has been the best right back in the EPL all season. I would love to have him but the rivalry might not make it possible to get him. Walker has all the tools but has suffered at Spurs, he should be the prime target . Montoya might want to stay at Barca and Rafinha is very hard to get at this stage from Bayern. This is a position I shall have to break the bank for.
Kelly and Wisdom will be sold and Flannagan will be kept as he is a utility player.
Totaly Outaly : 12m - 6m = 6m
Center back :
Existing players: Agger, Skrtel, Sakho, Toure, Ilori, Coates
Targets : Caulker, Lovren, Varane, San Jose
This position looks like the most stocked up position. However, it is not, the fact of the matter is the type of defenders needed to stop counter attacks are missing. Liverpool have defenders who are more being organized and fall back rather than win the one on one race and defend running back towards goal. As much as liverpool want to protect its back four with a defensive midfielder the fact is with the style Liverpool want to play they need a Gerrard Pique type of defender with pace and agility and not a Hyppia type who stand and towers and read the game. Liverpool might need a Hyppia type player for 4-5 games a season but no more than that. So my plan would be to add pace and strength at the back. My ideal targets are Varane and San Jose. Both fast and agile and very good defenders making negligible mistakes. However I may find that the two do not want to leave Spain. The next best alternate is Lovren and Caulker both are strong and good defenders and faster than Agger. I would also promote Ilori and give him few games, he is the fastest player among all the above and is a very good defender.
To fund this spree I shall be willing to sell Agger who is slow in my opinion. He leaves for 12m. I would look to let Toure leave on free. Coates will also be sold
Totaly Outlay for 2 players = 16m - 16m = Nil
Left Back :
Existing Players : Enrique, Jack Robinson, Smith
Targets : Moreno, Siquera, Bernat, Bertrand, Shaw
This is the position which I feel was the weakest for Liverpool. There was nothing going forward which meant the players tried to pass in the center too many times and when possession was lost, resulted in counters. If we look back at the season before this one. Liverpool were very strong, Enrique was the channel for most runs and so often the opposition left their central positions to protect the wing allowing central players to get space. This season this position would be the one I would really spend on. This position along with Goalkeeper is the make or break for Liverpool next season. I would ideally either sell Robinson with a buyback clause or loan him out. Enrique is a player I like a lot but he needs to get fit. I will give him time till the winter window to get back fit or be sold.
My ideal target would be Siquera, He is class apart, so composed and so good on the ball with pace. He is the player I would overpay for. Moreno is one with lots of potential but not one who out of the world in my opinion. Shaw is very good but too over priced and probably already in Manchester. Bernat is another one who has loads of Potential. I would try to get both Bernat and Siquera. Enrique will have to be sold at some point so its better to plan ahead.
Totaly Outlay on 2 players = 14m -3m = 11m
Holding Midfielder
Existing Players : Stevie Gerrard, Lucas
Targets: William Carvalho, Fenando Reges, Diame, Schniderlin, Tiote, Javi Martinez , Matudi
This is one position which again cost us this season. Taking nothing away from Gerrard who I think had one of his best seasons with the ball. Without the ball too many times the pace of speedy attackers found him outnumbered and outpaced. He is not 18 years old and he is not the one who should be winning sprints with young wingers. I think next season will be his last as a starter. He must have one super talented substitute. With the way Liverpool play they will have to contend with 5-6 super fast counter attacks every game where they are outnumbered and the wing backs are out of position. Liverpool have lost almost all those battles this season. Next season they must have a fast strong person in there. My choice would be William Carvalho, he is young and very talented he is a mixture of Yaya Toure and Makelele. I rate him very highly. If Liverpool miss out on him, I would go with Reges or Diame, both are powerful and work very hard. Javi Martinez would be very expensive due to his age and Club but he is another very good option.
Lucas is very slow and is not suited for the system Liverpool play. He was been loyal to the club but its time he found a new club.
Total Outlay : 14 - 7 = 7m
Advanced Central Midfielders
Current Players : Henderson, Allen, Coutinho, Suso, Luis Alberto, Texiera
Targets: Kovacic, Lallana, Rakitic, Isco, Suseta, Veratti, Lars Bender, Erikson
This position is very vital to the Liverpool system, as for technique and tactically ability, this calls for a lot of physical demand, protecting the back four is as important as getting forward. Henderson was brilliant in that and Liverpool missed him dearly in the 3 games he was suspended probably costing the title. Liverpool need one or two quality players in this position. My Ideal choice would be both Lallana and Rakitic, one main reason is there work rate. Both would cost almost the same but have been the most hardworking players in their respective leagues. Even if I get one player I would be very happy but my focus would be on getting 2 players if I could afford. Kovacic is one of the best upcoming players, I really like him but I would wish he could be used in a swap for Lucas but that is wishful thinking. Luis Alberto will be sold and I would hope would be part of Rakitic deal to Sevilla.
Total Outlay: 30m - 5m = 25m
Striker/ Wingers
Current players : Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Ibe, Borini, Aspas, Assiadi
Targets : Shaqiri, Firminio, Jay Rodrigez, Itrube, Remy, Tello, Morata, Jese , Arda Turan, Callejon, Markovic, Griezman, Gemiero, Aleix Sanchez
This is one position which Liverpool are blessed with talent, 3S are one of the best in Europe, with Ibe and Borini emerging this position is well covered but Liverpool still need one more player in my opinion. From the list above I would buy one current player and one for the future. My choice will be Firminio or Remy for current team and Tello or Jese on the bench.
Aspas and Assiadi have to be sold.
Total Outlay = 30m - 10m= 20m
The Total for Overhauling the whole squad = 69m
If this outlay is not approved by the board, the options where I have given the wishlist of 2 players can be reduced to one. In my opinion this squad will be were strong and capable to take on all 4 competitions. Not to mention the liverpool emerging stars. The likes of Dunn, Rossiter, Brannagan, Smith, all have been very good and should put Liverpool in a good position for the future.
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