Quantity and Quality Needed This Summer

You can never stand still.

The majority of people pointed to the underwhelming transfer activity by Manchester City in the summer of 2012 as the reason why they handed their Premier League crown so tamely to Manchester United.

It was an act that allowed Alex Ferguson to walk away happily into retirement and Roberto Mancini to be sacked from his managerial position.

The message from that is clear for everyone – if you do not strengthen, especially when you are in a position of strength, then you will be left behind.

This summer, Liverpool must heed these words.

It is quite frustrating to see so many pundits believe that this season was Liverpool’s best chance for the title. The consensus seems to be that Liverpool will fade back outside the top four next season because Manchester United will suddenly become invincible again, once they go on a mad splurge of Tottenham-esque proportions.

However, what is true is that if the squad is not improved then the Reds will go backwards. Rodgers has to convince the Americans to seriously open up the chequebook if Liverpool are to win the title next year.

With the right signings, that is completely possible.

Simon Mignolet enjoyed a fairly productive and fruitful first year at Liverpool, when you consider the adjustment from Sunderland to Liverpool, where the expectations and scrutiny are immense. The Belgian was probably Rodgers’ best signing last summer, which shows that the transfer committee has yet to hit their stride, something which must happen this summer.

He has time on his side at just 26 years of age, but needs some serious competition to push him to greater heights and not feel complacent in his position.

Someone like Manuel Neuer is not needed, but a decent goalkeeper for £5m (or ideally on a Bosman) approx would be wise. Guillermo Ochoa, Michel Vorm and Victor Valdes have all been linked with a move to Anfield over the season, but Ochoa on a free would arguably be the most ideal and realistic.

No one would disagree that the defence is the area in need of greatest surgery in the transfer market. Glen Johnson is a top right back, but still makes defensive errors (such as his comments to fans on Twitter after the draw against Crystal Palace) and is 30 in August. Additionally, he only has 1 year left on his contract.

A good World Cup and Liverpool could get over £10m for the England international, with the likes of Real Madrid and Napoli interested.

Few players have been linked with Liverpool here however, suggesting that the likelihood is that Johnson will remain a Liverpool player, with Jon Flanagan also set to return to competing on the right.

A loan deal was falsely mooted for Micah Richards in January, but he wants to leave permanently this summer. Could he be another revitalized star from a big club, akin to Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge?

Two new left backs are required, with Rodgers seemingly having little faith in Jose Enrique before his injury and Aly Cissokho disappointing on loan from Valencia.

Ashley Cole is one name many Liverpool fans hope will not come to fruition, but would represent excellent competition for a big money signing, as Cole being on a Bosman would free up funds.

Alberto Moreno, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabio Coentrao, Marcelo and Ryan Bertrand are all possible targets, with fees likely to range between £7-15m.

Martin Skrtel has had an excellent season, despite the frequent rugby tackles. Nevertheless, with almost every other centre back linked with a move away, especially Daniel Agger, Sebastian Coates and Kolo Toure, reinforcements are desperately needed.

A world class partner for Skrtel is essential, with the likes of Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori adding squad depth and rotation. Mehdi Benatia, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Steven Caulker, Dejan Lovren and Ezequiel Garay are all quality performers.

Yet the dream signing would be Eliaquim Mangala from FC Porto. With Manchester City yet to agree a fee and Mangala wanting to wait until after the World Cup, Liverpool could yet sneak in with a big money offer, probably at least £30m.

At just 23, he has the ability to rank himself alongside the likes of Vincent Kompany and Tiago Silva with a move to the Premier League, with the only concern being that he would rather move to London, favouring Chelsea.

The back five is the priority for Liverpool, but a couple of midfield additions would not hurt, especially if Lucas Leiva departs. A quality defensive midfielder is needed to help Steven Gerrard, who whilst is in fantastic form, is 34 at the end of the month. An attacking midfielder would also not go amiss.

The recent players linked (there have been so many that to list them all would take until Christmas) have been Adam Lallana, Xherdan Shaqiri, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Pedro and Alexis Sanchez, while Emre Can, Dani Parejo and Lars Bender have been mentioned for the defensive position.

Can would provide youthful backup at a relatively low price, allowing more money to be spent on Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez has gone under the radar, but virtually every player on the planet would take his stats for this season, with 21 goals and 11 assists for Barcelona.

At 25, he is at his peak and could light up the World Cup for Chile in the summer. With a price tag of just £20m, Liverpool should jump in now.

Sanchez, Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling. Not too bad.

Everyone knows how remarkable a season it has been for SAS. Fitness permitting, they could be even better next season. Another top striker is not paramount, but a backup that is known for being a goalscorer would be welcome.

Jeremy Menez has been linked on a Bosman, but has played out wide in recent years. Perhaps take a risk on a younger striker like Jordan Rhodes or Danny Ings?

Personally Luis Muriel from Udinese would be fantastic, but his price (probably £15m+) might be excessive. Ditto Wilfried Bony.

Overall, a large number of players are required at Anfield for next season, with Champions League football now on the fixture list and an expectation to at least make the top four. Rodgers has to be mindful of the problems that Tottenham suffered this season.

Conversely, there is little alternative as starting players are needed in some positions, like defence, while depth is needed in other areas, such as the offense.

This is where Rodgers will have to make the next step as Liverpool manager. Previously he has enjoyed week long training blocks where he can integrate his players into the desired systems and style of play.

Next season there will be midweek games galore, disrupting that vital aspect to Rodgers. Furthermore, he will have to combine current players with an influx of new ones to the required systems, with less time to prepare.

It will be a tough ask, but one Rodgers would have expected after a few years into the Liverpool job and he will cope.

The title next year would be fantastic, but top four is vital to consolidate Liverpool’s resurgent position in world football and to keep the finances coming in.

Financial Fair Play is beginning to be enforced and money is also needed for the expansion of Anfield, so to continue progressing Liverpool need to be able to consistently tap into the riches and attractions that only the Champions League can offer.

For Rodgers and Liverpool, the hard work now begins.