The Run of Play: Liverpool’s Fresh Squad

First of all, I shall start with a Chinese New Year message. Have a very happy Chinese new year to all our Chinese readers out there.

Now, on to what you guys came here to read.

It’s been 10 days since the January transfer window slammed shut, and Liverpool had two signings to really show for their business in the January window. Coutinho and Sturridge came in, with Joe Cole, Nuri Sahin and Doni among others making their exits (whether it be permanent or short term).

It gives a real sense of the direction of the team, and it is that youthful, exuberant energy that Brendan Rodgers has brought in. It might be early, but I reckon that he has even modelled this strategy after Arsenal – although we have been able to retain our key players for the past two windows despite interest (most notably Manchester City in for Suarez).

The results aren’t showing for this just yet, but I remain happy for now to come out of every week thinking we put a good performance in, we made it hard for our opposition and we definitely had our chances to win the games. We have dominated against even Manchester City and Arsenal among others. This was always going to be the Brendan Rodgers mock exam, where he begins to mould his team into what he really wants it to be.

He’s got us in a decent position to challenge for the Champions League spots (it remains possible although unrealistic) and is really setting us up for a proper challenge next season.

Daniel Sturridge linking up with Luis Suarez up front is showing many positive signs. It has changed our formation a bit, almost into a 4-3-1-2, where Suarez is playing behind Sturridge and there is an almost out of place wide forward (normally Downing) playing alongside Sturridge/Suarez. Henderson moves forward but attacks more centrally.

This has made our attack really narrow, given the characteristics of the players in the team. Even Coutinho is a central attacking midfielder by nature. The question remains as to where he will fit in. My guess would be in a 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree-esque formation where he will be alongside Suarez (that is, if he is good enough to get a spot on the first XI).

I read somewhere that Pepe Reina’s mistakes have accounted for 25% of our goals conceded this term as well. That is just not going to cut it for me anymore. As much as he has helped us over the past few seasons, we need (at least) some solid competition to keep him on his toes. We missed out on the chance to sign Butland, but I reckon we should still keep on the lookout for top young goalies. All the top sides have got one. Manchester United have De Gea (makes mistakes but is still young), Chelsea have Courtois (showing splendid form for Atletico) and Arsenal have Szczesny and Manone (who both look promising despite occasional mistakes).

That is the area which needs addressing in the summer.