Five positions in which Liverpool could improve in the January transfer window…
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Liverpool – without their two star strikers from the previous campaign (one sold, one injured) – struggling in the Premier League and out of the Champions League already.
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But Monday’s win over Swansea completed a positive Christmas period for the Reds, and was the latest sign that Brendan Rodgers and his players are beginning to turn a corner.
They currently sit in eighth place, five points adrift of a top four spot. Rodgers will likely look to recruit at least a couple of new players in January to boost their chances of success, so here are five areas where they should look to improve in order of priority:
5) Holding Midfielder
The inclusion of Lucas in the Liverpool team has corresponded with the recent improvement. His role isn’t glamorous, but he does the dirty work in front of the defence and regularly drops back to to help the centre-halves. With Emre Can having recently been converted into a centre-half and Steven Gerrard being pushed further forward, the Reds could certainly do with a new face to support the Brazilian.
4) Centre Back
Liverpool’s new look formation, which uses three centre-backs, has put additional strain on their current crop of stars. Dejan Lovren is now injured, having struggled to impress earlier this season, leaving Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho as the only available players. Emre Can impressed in the position against Swansea, but if Rodgers sticks with the current formation then they are perhaps a man short, particularly considering Lovren’s struggles.
3) Right Wing Back
The 3-4-3 formation has included the use of wing-backs. Alberto Moreno and Lazar Markovic have both impressed down the left, while Rodgers also has Jose Enrique to call upon. There are plenty of options on the right as well, but none look quite has comfortable with the duel nature of the role – Jordan Henderson and Glen Johnson preferring to get forward, while Javier Manquillo is more adept at staying back. A player to fill this role could be crucial.
2) Striker
An obvious lack of striking talent has regularly cost Liverpool so far this season. They knew they were losing Luis Suarez, but Rodgers cannot have expected to be without Daniel Sturridge for almost the entire campaign. Mario Balotelli was a gamble that has not paid off, while Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini are back-up options at best. A top class striker, to go alongside Sturridge when he returns could do wonders for their top four prospects.
1) Goalkeeper
Neither Simon Mignolet or Brad Jones have looked comfortable this season, with the former particularly short on confidence and self-belief. Liverpool need a proven stopper who can breath confidence into the team from back to front. The Belgian remains a decent shot stopper, but has been caught out on the basics once too often, particularly his kicking and distribution. The Reds won’t win anything without an improvement in this area.
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