IT is evident that Liverpool have somewhat learnt from their mistakes of previous transfer windows as they have wasted no time in finalising several transfers already this summer.
The Reds have moved to secure the signatures of quartet Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet before the transfer window has officially opened. Also, the name Henrikh Mkhitaryan continues to be linked with a big money move to Liverpool, however, nothing has yet to materialise on that front despite the premature excitement of many of the fans.
On the surface, it all looks splendid. Liverpool are signing players early and are doing so well within budget. However, one lingering concern has me wondering if this summer’s transfer window could yet have some similarities to last summer’s window.
Heading into the summer months of 2012, Liverpool fans and management knew that the team needed some forward reinforcements. The club had only Luis Suarez as an out and out striker with Andy Carroll totally out of favour with manager Brendan Rodgers. Fears were somewhat allayed when Rodgers snapped up promising young striker Fabio Borini from Roma early on and it looked as though the manager would go on to have at least three or four strikers to choose from once all business was done.
Nevertheless, when the window slammed shut, and after an unsuccessful final day push for both Clint Dempsey and future Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge, the Reds were left with just two strikers to compete with right through until January. The club can ill afford to replicate such a conclusion at the other end of the field.
Ask any Liverpool fan the position they believe is in most need of strengthening over the summer and the general consensus will be defence. With Jamie Carragher retiring, the out of form Martin Skrtel being touted for a potential sale and young Sebastien Coates seemingly unable to cut it in English football, there is huge room for manoeuvre in the heart of defence.
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So far, Rodgers has moved to secure the signing of experienced Kolo Toure on a free transfer but that will evidently not be enough to tighten a defence that leaked too many goals last campaign. There has been four signings come through the doors of Melwood so far, but it is the lack of movement in the defence that will worry most Liverpool supporters.
Names such as Kyriakos Papdopoulos, Tiago Ilori and Toby Alderweireld have been strongly linked to Liverpool however, as of yet, the club have struggled to negotiate a deal for any of the three. The club, and specifically Ian Ayre, may be taking the approach that the closer the window gets to shutting the lower the asking price from their parent clubs will go. That approach did not work last time and it is a risk that Ayre cannot afford to take.
For me, it is not only centre-back that needs addressing. Liverpool are crying out for quality at left-back to compete with Jose Enrique, whose form has dipped alarmingly over the past few seasons. Not bringing in adequate defensive reinforcements will leave the Reds short until January – something that cost the team a positive start last season and gave us too much to do from January to recover and challenge for a top four place.
Liverpool have been given a generous start to the season in terms of fixtures and the squad has to be in place to hit the ground running, without a full squad the team will drop unnecessary points and once again frustrate their fans who have suffered enough in the past decade. Ian Ayre knows what he has to do and the faith of the Liverpool followers is in his hands as he, alongside the coaching staff, looks to piece together a squad capable of returning to the top four of English football.
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Get off enriques back
I agree about Enrique noose. At his worst, he’s adequate: at his best he’s outstanding. What is this writer talking about? ‘The window closing’? It isn’t even OPEN yet!
Haha nice
So a left back to compete with Enriques is what liverpool are short off… come off it boy….Utd.. Chelsea… Arsenal…Man City.. and Spurs all are missing a dominant in their prime Commanding Midfield Generals as there is so few around…
Give me a Keane.. Mathius… Souness …. Pirlo in their prime for any of the teams mentioned and you will see the difference it will make to their Respective clubs.. A Left full back.. give me a break
I’d really like us to go for strootman but I’m afraid that Rodgers us eager to give Allen lots more playing time again.
happy days for Liverpool fans, our best 2 signings yet?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98164173@N06/
Yeah – the comment that Enrique’s form has ‘dipped’ is ignorant. Since his temporary shift to a more forward position, he has been more than adequate at left-back. You wonder sometimes if these journos ever watch a game.
Mignolet
Johnson Sakho Agger Enrique
Mkhitaryan Gerrard Wanyama Coutinho
Suarez Sturridge
Subs:Reina Toure Skrtel Kelly Robinson Henderson Allen Alberto Aspas Assaidi Borini
YNWA
That would be interesting. My issues would be Sakho is left footed and PSG won’t sell him. And Wanyama ‘s passing is not good enough yet even for a defensive midfieder.
Time ago, i have seen rumours that lfc have agreed a deal to sign Mkhitaryan for 25 million, i hope the rumours are true..!
Love it when people think the same as you, Enrique is a premiership left back, and I thought this season under Rodgers he showed signs of improving. He likes to get forward and try and make sumat happen. Like johnno on the right. Get the Armenian and another strong cb and I think the squads full of talent and competition then. Pool top 4 anyone?
Only mkhitaryan is the difference pls Mr B R complete the deal bravely thax happy future.
I don’t care what anyone says we are in serious need of another LB option. But we are addressing the need for more goals first. Then sell on a few and tighten in the back and we will be the most improved team of the summer.
Quote
” Liverpool are crying out for quality at left-back to compete with Jose Enrique, whose form has dipped alarmingly over the past few seasons.”
As Enrique only signed in 2011, it would quite difficult for his form to have dipped for 3 seasons as he’s only been with us for two.
Although for a short period early in the last season he did have a difficult time, he came back stronger and looked evry inch a top right back.
Enrique a top right back????
Yes Brian,
he wins around 85% of his tackles and completes around 75% of his passes, which considering he plays so many forward attacking balls is excellent.
Add to that his strength and engine he is a top left back.
Keep it real and tell us who would replace him, and why is he better.
Just realised what I’d written, should have been paying more attention.
I meant left back.
Enrique is the least of our problems. 1 of 2 acceptable signings under the last blokes billion dollar spending disaster. Clearly in the top handful of pl left backs. Moronic pointless article
Dont forget both Kelly & Wisdom are predominantly centre backs. I’d only worry if Skrtel goes. Then we’re short.
My thoughts as well. Kelly in particular is ready to challenge for the CB role. Sebs hasn’t become a bad player overnight. The two problems were that 1) no regular game time meant that he was incredibly rusty when he was given a chance 2) he’s best playing deep with cover, but our style where he is exposed one on one doesn’t suit him (doesn’t suit Skrtel that much either). A pacy CB like ilori (though young) is in order.
Complete rubbish, if Kelly and wisdom were at other clubs they would be seen as perfect fits for our transfer policy… Hot tip, we already have them at the club! Our own talent seems to get quickly forgotten, if we are to spend anymore money it needs to be on worldclass talent because that’s what we are missing
i agree Bill, why spend money on players if we already have them at the club ! people forget when talking about Kelly that Carra played at right back for most of his early time in the team before Rafa moved him into the middle, a master stroke that gave us our best central defender in years
maybe we can get the same from Kelly i also think that the injuries he picks up are from his power and pace marauding up the wing maybe in the central defensive position it would less taxing on him allowing him to stay injury free !
Agreed ,Kelly is class,with plenty of pace, needs a little time and will slot right in next to Agger. Needs to be thrown into the fire.
Well said, totally agree with you.
Any new more signing must be world class and experience players. Beside we have already sent around 20 millions on the new players. It is not possible to turn things around in a fortnight unless the owner is filthy rich like man c u n Chelsea. My thought is with the signing of the new attacking midfield player from shaktor with additional of 25million- we can only sell before buying. If not the debt of the club will rise again…
let’s look at our squad,we have Allen,Hendo,Lucas,gerrard,Alberto,coutinho,shelvey who all can play middle of the park.Lucas,shelvey must go. bring in wanyama and coady
liverpool are in a position where they cant afford to gamble on new talents to turn into quality defenders.with carra ,skrtel ,coates already believed to depart it seems we have lost our experience in defence.so it is wiser to bring in more experienced defenders who are already familiar with premier league football.