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January Signings – how did they fare?

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LFC signingsAFTER last week’s instalment assessed our summer business, which proved to be a window of disappointment, this week we take a look at our January signings and I have a feeling that this will make for happier reading.

Daniel Sturridge

Very few signings come as a surprise in the world of 24 hour football speculation and this one was no exception. Liverpool proved to be as leaky as ever letting us all know in early December that this was a done deal. Although it probably helped to placate many fans who were furious with the club’s failure to capture an extra striker in the summer following the departure of Andy Carroll.

There was a mixed reception to this deal with fans torn between cautious optimism and cautious scepticism. Some were wary of a player who hadn’t managed to solidify his place in a team before while others questioned whether a Chelsea cast off was of the quality needed to represent our great club.

However, from when Sturridge first started in the Man City team, he seemed to have a level of quality that hinted that he could perform at the highest level. Rumours of LFC’s interest in Sturridge have been prevalent ever since he gave a brilliant performance against the Reds in the youth cup in 2006. But when Liverpool missed out on his signature, with the City man opting to join Chelsea’s lucrative operation, it seemed that we would never see the Sturridge wear the red of Liverpool.

But with Sturridge seeing his playing time marginalised and a £12m offer on the table, Chelsea were persuaded to relinquish their asset.

His arrival at Liverpool could scarcely have gone better. 11 goals in 16 games was the perfect impact for a striker and he became the quickest player to 10 league goals in Liverpool’s history trumping Fowler and Torres who both took 18 league games to reach that milestone.

Surprisingly, even this goal haul has not been enough for some fans who have questioned his work rate and his contribution to the team in games when he doesn’t score. Though given that he has also managed 5 assists in his 16 games, he has scored or created a goal every game on average since his move. To ask more of the Birmingham born forward would seem to be placing unreasonable demands on a player who has performed so ably in his early Anfield tenure.

The real worry with our new no. 15 is his injuries. Having picked up a knock already since playing for Liverpool then subsequently suffering a long term injury while on England duty; there are genuine concerns as to whether he can manage a full season of football. This is compounded by the fact that he has not yet played a full season as a first choice player at any club.
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It should not be forgotten though, that our medical team has managed our squad so well this season that many players have made their highest number of starts including our captain. It is hoped that Sturridge will follow suit next season.

It must be said that Sturridge has proved value for money since he switched London for Merseyside and at just 23 years of age, he could have a long and prosperous future for the Reds. More of the same next season will surely see him become a popular man with the Anfield crowd.

Philippe Coutinho

The new fan’s favourite has established himself in the first team incredibly quickly. It would seem unthinkable that he was struggling in the Inter Milan side before his move, although perhaps that should come with a caveat when one considers quite how dismal Internazionale’s season has been. Signed, for £8.5m most supporters would have been happy for the Brazilian to show signs that he could develop into a genuine Liverpool class footballer.

Instead, Coutinho delivered exhibitions far beyond the level expected of a 20 year old, making incredibly clever and probing passes and showing a game intelligence that even the wisest of players would be satisfied with.

Many were worried that his slight frame would make him a pushover in the Premier League but he soon cast those fears aside with his composed displays. This was particularly so against Newcastle when he managed to muscle Ben Arfa off the ball to then turn provider for Sturridge. His 7 assists in 13 games showcased his precocious talent and he topped that off with 3 goals including the winner in our season finale.

There is much that can be said about our new number 10 and some have started to eulogise about his capabilities already. This is perhaps the only negative facing Coutinho as he approaches the new season. Having performed so well, it may prove difficult for him to equal his achievements let alone surpass them next season.

There is also a great amount of expectation on the man and with Enrique even recently suggesting that the new boy can be the catalyst to Liverpool finishing in the top four next year, the new season will offer a test of his mental strength that he will not have encountered before.

Liverpool may well have one of the next huge Brazilian stars on their books but it is important that we remain calm as he continues to develop. The challenge for Countinho next season is to perform under pressure as Liverpool look to mount a genuine pursuit of a top 4 finish.
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