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Transfer season in the world of football can often be a tale of swings and roundabouts. Shelling out money for eye-catching stars while letting go of unwanted baggage might seem at first glance like a proactive approach geared towards positive results, but it can often end in a club coming full circle, empty-handed.
Without much to gain or show for such a big pre-season effort on the market, buying and selling can often be a risky bit of business. Hold too much caution in your decisions and you could wind up with a threadbare squad, lacking familiarity, cohesion and support. Get too cheque-happy with your expenditure, however, and the players you bring in could flop left, right and centre.
It’s a tight-rope that should be tread carefully and with the utmost pragmatism.
At present, Liverpool find themselves at the forefront of the Premier League spending spree. Splashing the cash on a large number of players already, Brendan Rodgers has been busy making sure the fans know how keen he is to rectify their uninspiring 2014/15 season.
The big question now, though, is whether or not these signings will make enough of a difference. Can their aggressive strategy work? Or will it result in yet another campaign of hope dashed by the stark contrast of end-of-season results? Let’s take a look.
Firmino can build upon Brazilian flair
Unperturbed by the lack of prolific Brazilians throughout the history of the English game, the Reds splurged generously on the capture of Roberto Firmino from Bundesliga side 1899 Hoffenheim – and it raised a few questions about their policy. Would they not have been better suited to bringing in a seasoned craftsman who knows the domestic English game? Could Firmino really dive in and give the Merseysiders the boost they need?
These concerns will remain unanswered for a few months, but without a shadow of a doubt, the 23-year-old has bags of potential. With 13 goals to his name for club and country (excluding friendly clashes) since August last year, he’s exhibited the type of promising goal-scoring form and creative vision that could see him add a real threat to Liverpool’s midfield.
Far from being the ideal Steven Gerrard replacement, Firmino can emulate him to a certain extent when it comes to testing goalkeepers – after all, Gerrard bagged an impressive 120 league goals in all, as well as clinching a whopping 92 assists.
A quick look at Firmino’s last season in the German Bundesliga, where he was directly involved in as many as 17 of their goals from 33 appearances, and it’s clear he has the innate ability to make a nuisance of himself for defenders. That’s by no means a monstrous contribution, but it tells the story of a player hungry enough to succeed, and Rodgers has been wise enough to draft him in as a link with fellow countryman Philippe Coutinho.
If they combine together consistently enough, build a healthy relationship on the pitch and play with the exuberance they love, their Samba magic could work wonders for the forthcoming championship. They won’t win the league on their own just yet, but it’s a good starting point to work from; it gives the fans something to get excited about, and has the makings of a successful partnership that will earn results more often than it doesn’t.
Ings is not ‘star striker’ material
It’s been quite a while since a certain Luis Suarez departed Anfield for the bright lights and trophy-laden environs of the Camp Nou. And although the majority of fans would rather move on and forget about his magnificent tenure there than reflect with futile envy and regret, the simple fact of the matter is that he is undoubtedly the best striker to have pulled on a ‘Pool shirt in the last five years or more.
Having gambled with the purchases of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert over the last season, Rodgers’ decision-making hasn’t quite been up to scratch when it’s come to sourcing a goal-getter – so it’s hard to say the scrutiny he’s faced over the way he’s recently distributed the transfer kitty hasn’t been warranted. Now, with Danny Ings selected as the main man to shoot the club’s way out of their depressing slide towards mediocrity, Rodgers has once more come under fire.
Just about managing to reach double figures last season, the ex-Burnley forward netted 11 goals in the league. At just 22 years of age, Ings certainly has age on his side, but he won’t be able to rely on that to protect him from criticism for too long should he fail to adapt quickly at one of the most iconic clubs in the modern game. If he goes through a similar drought like the one he experienced from February to May where he went 10 games without scoring, he could quickly find himself at the mercy of the demanding Anfield faithful.
Simpy put, he is a quality striker, but it’s baffling to understand exactly why Rodgers has hung his hat on him when there are so many better goal-poachers out there to choose from. What Liverpool needs is a 20-goal-a-season man, and Ings just doesn’t fit that bill.
No doubt the ex-Clarets front-man will do his best to feed off the weight of expectancy that already hovers over him, and he will certainly contribute with goals. But it would make a lot more sense if they were to bring in someone with a bit more prestige, a seasoned campaigner who can breeze in and get goals regardless of the situation.
They might well pay crazy money for the necessary player, but it would be worth it and could save Rodgers a lot of hassle in the long run – and maybe even his job.
Milner and Clyne add spine, but their impact depends on Rodgers
The invaluable experience of winning a Premier League title is a really key factor that former Manchester City midfielder James Milner brings to the Liverpool set-up, but it’s not the main one – after all, he’s done it twice.
A polished performer, his outstanding contributions for the Citizens during his stay at the Etihad have not been limited to being a two-time winner of the EPL, as he’s also won the FA Cup, League Cup and the Community Shield. For a club like Liverpool that values silverware so highly, Milner’s know-how when it comes to taking titles that are up for grabs might well be the most widely discussed aspect of his recent past. But there are far more intriguing facts about him that should make his new fans smile.
As outlined by Squawka’s Social Media Manager James McManus, Milner outperformed quite a number of the league’s more “high profile” stars last year as he powered through some of the misconceptions about him.
Indeed, his performances were one of the few bright lights in an otherwise disappointing City campaign which saw them fall well short of the mark they would have wanted to achieve.
Smashing as many as five goals past a number of top ‘keepers in the second half of their late but unsuccessful surge to stay in contention with eventual winners Chelsea, his desire to battle to the bitter end really shone through – and it was a real surprise to see him given up so easily by Manuel Pellegrini.
Rodgers will be rubbing his hands with glee at the capture of such a top, top free agent which, if utilised efficiently and effectively, will have a massively positive effect on the outcome of their season.
Likewise, the welcome of yet another Southampton star in Nathaniel Clyne means that they have drafted in a more than capable defender who could really help steady the ship further still. The Saints might have only garnered one extra clean sheet than Liverpool in the league last season, but they conceded considerably less goals with just 33 (the second best of the season) compared to 48 – and the 24-year-old was pivotal to that defensive frugality.
In the end, the overriding factor for any signing brought in during the current transfer regime will be how wisely the manager utilises them.
Liverpool are a huge club with big ambitions to succeed – they always have been – and with some exciting players on board for the new season ahead, they have some really excellent foundations to go on and tick some of them off their list.
Rodgers will undoubtedly need time to adjust, learn and mould his new-look team to suit his vision and get it looking as perfectly as he can. But you get the feeling this is his biggest chance at proving his worth. Time will tell whether or not he’s up to the task.
