As pre-season begins, all players will be keen to make the most of the games, in order to give themselves the best possible chance of a successful season. Some more than others have huge seasons ahead of them, for different reasons.
Daniel Sturridge
One of the most naturally talented strikers I’ve seen put on the famous red shirt. However, injuries have always had a significant impact on his career and last season was nothing short of a disaster, from a personal perspective.
Another injury picked up at the end of last season means that he is likely to miss the opening fixtures of the 15/16 campaign. I cannot stress how important it is that Sturridge stays fit for the majority of the season – to me, it almost seems as if it’s a ‘make or break’ type situation. If he continues to pick up injuries that keep him out for months; Liverpool may look to sell him and pick up someone who can be relied on.
There is no question that, on his day, he’s one of the best strikers in the league and his record with the club demonstrates that. Last season he was massively missed and I’m praying that we’re not saying the same thing come the end of next season.
Adam Lallana
Lallana’s first season wouldn’t have lived up to his or the club’s expectations. I don’t think it was entirely his fault, though. His season was filled with injuries and on a few occasions, he looked as if he was beginning to find some form and then he would pick up another injury and he would have to start again. It must have been incredibly infuriating for him.
Lallana did impress me at times last season. I think he adds a goal threat, that some of our other midfielders perhaps don’t offer as much. But he hasn’t quite shifted the hefty £25m price tag yet and that will continue to be with him until he shows his full potential. One thing Lallana didn’t get last season was a pre-season due to an injury he picked up. Pre-seasons are crucial in a player’s season, and barring any injuries, he should be able to get a full one under his belt this time.
Lazar Markovic
Markovic was brought in from Benfica last Summer for £20m and everyone was very excited about the Serbian’s arrival. I hadn’t seen too much of him but had heard about his talent and potential.
Despite not the most successful first season with the club – I could definitely see the talent that he possesses. When Rodgers moved to the 3-4-2-1 formation; there wasn’t really a place for Markovic in the front three, as others were clearly preferred – and he was made to play right wing-back; a position he’d never played before. He started off really well, too, but after a few games, it became obvious the amount of inexperience he had in that position.
When Rodgers did play him in his favoured position; central behind the striker, he was the best player on the pitch. Tottenham at home, when Markovic got on the scoresheet. With Raheem Sterling moving on, this season is massive in terms of stamping his authority within this Liverpool squad and showing the fans that he is worth the price tag.
Alberto Moreno
Like Markovic, Moreno was a pleasing signing at the time. but perhaps hasn’t lived up to expectations. The Spaniard started off like a house on fire. In his second game, he ran essentially the length of the pitch to rifle one past Hugo Lloris in Spurs’ net in the 3-0 victory. However, in these opening games, Moreno’s vulnerabilities were pretty obvious and these showed over the course of the season.
His positional awareness is questionable and this was perhaps most relevant in the 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Like Markovic, though, Moreno was a victim of the 3-4-2-1 formation. You could see he didn’t have experience at the left wing-back role and he became incredibly passive in many games, and when the Reds were attacking – it tended to be down the other side.
I still think Moreno will come good, though, and with the signing of Nathaniel Clyne; it suggests to me that Rodgers’ plan is to play four at the back and this undoubtedly suits Moreno more than the 3-4-2-1 system. Moreno has got to have a solid season and I think Rodgers will be doing a lot of work with him and Clyne in pre-season to tell them what he expects in his full-backs.
Dejan Lovren
I’d argue that this man has the biggest season ahead of him. Bought for £20m from Southampton last Summer; many Liverpool fans thought he was the answer to their defensive woes. The way the season panned out was a nightmare for the Croatian international.
Many basic defensive errors at the start of the season could have been put down to nerves and many were happy to give him the benefit of the doubt in that sense. It continued, though – leading to him being dropped. Mamadou Sakho came in and impressed, it looked like a while before Lovren would be getting back in the team. However, Sakho is prone to picking up injuries and Lovren benefited in his absence.
Towards the end of the season, when he retained his place in the side, he looked better – but still very shaky and fans, including myself, didn’t feel comfortable with him at the back. This season, Lovren has to somehow vindicate his price tag and become a force in that Liverpool defence and he has to win over the fans, which won’t be easy, as many of them have written him off already. From Lovren’s point of view, he has to get Sakho out of the picture and make the left centre-back role his own.
