--- title: "Many Tents But No Marquee" canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/many-tents-but-no-marquee/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Nick Pennington" section: "Articles" published: "2013-09-16T14:51:56Z" modified: "2013-09-16T15:26:05Z" --- # Many Tents But No Marquee It has to be said that the 2013 summer transfer window has been anything but dull and, from the perspective of a Liverpool fan, can be cause for great optimism coming into the new season. The media-hype surrounding Premier League transfer windows often results in clubs becoming overwhelmed in a crazed expectancy from the fans to produce quality purchases. There’s that silly phrase ‘Marquee signing’ which has become more of a cliché rather than a logical term for the signing of a world-class footballer. What is a marquee signing? Although many people will argue that Liverpool have failed to ascertain the services of such a player, the introduction of eight new faces at Anfield over the summer period can surely ease the sceptics. The astute signing of Kolo Toure brings in that much-needed quality, experience and vigour along the back-line; attributes that would otherwise be missing since Jamie Carragher’s departure. The performances of new boys Toure and Simon Mignolet have been hugely promising as they have seamlessly gelled into the Liverpool line-up and have applied themselves sufficiently to Rodger’s style of play, which is often more noticeable in defence. Pepe Reina’s Liverpool demise seems sad considering how it occurred. A seemingly forced loan move to Napoli, after it appeared promises were broken, symbolised a sorry end to the Spanish custodian’s Anfield career and to his performances as a twice golden-glove winning, internationally established goalkeeper. However, our new Belgian number one, or more accurately number 22, has confidently carried through his form witnessed at the Stadium of Light last season and has since replicated assured, confident displays in pre-season as well as producing world-class, commanding performances in this season’s opening three fixtures. Three games, three clean sheets, zero complaints. I believe that Mignolet thrives where Reina suffers. Reina’s footballing ability had never been questioned until the arrival of Rodgers whose tactics of playing it out from the back somewhat exposed the keeper’s inability to interchange passes with defenders confidently. Simon has also indicated early on that our fragility from set pieces last season, an area of high concession for the Reds, has been somewhat cured with his signing, alongside the simultaneous introduction of that much-needed ‘beast at the back’. Kolo Toure, in my eyes, is the shrewdest signing of the summer and indicates that positive activity in the transfer market may not always depend on a club’s multi-million pound owner’s willingness to splash whatever cash necessary to land that infamous marquee. I feel that during this transfer window, Brendan Rodgers has covered himself with the canny singing of Victor Moses from Chelsea on-loan as he sought to bring goals and assists from wider areas into the squad. It is clear that whichever formation Brendan chooses to line-up with, he aims to introduce versatile, free-flowing attacking players who are able to interchange and adapt across the front line; whether it be a front three in a 4-3-3 formation or in the assisting, attacking three in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which I believe is more suited to our style of play and our squad’s qualities. The signings of Sturridge and Coutinho last January demonstrated this new-found pursuit for market value and indicated a positive transition of ethos since Dalglish’s second reign at Anfield. Liverpool have since lived to lament the wastefulness of transfers and an over-confidence in British ‘talent’, if you can call it that. Our effectiveness in the transfer market in 2013 has been hugely promising; there can be no argument with having Coutinho and Sturridge for the same price as Stewart Downing. Recently, the club seems focused on value, quality and cost-effectiveness rather than the indiscriminate, careless spending witnessed in previous seasons, where we have been held to ransom by arguably minor Premier League powers like Aston Villa and Newcastle who received a staggering collective £55 million (*estimate)* for the sales of Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll respectively. I believe that Rodgers’ transfer policy, although being more cautious, is more mature and seeks value in players; somewhat saving our American owners from further embarrassment and exploitation in a subterranean sporting financial environment. Although it is disappointing to see our financial restraint preventing us from competing for the elitist footballing talents, such as the failure to capture Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Diego Costa, we have developed a heightened awareness of ‘under the radar’ talents and appear resigned to overpaying. A regard for patience has diminished our previous tendency to act bashfully in the market. The lack of a marquee signing for Liverpool this season should therefore be overlooked. The signings of Sakho, Mignolet and Victor Moses may yet prove to be huge in the coming months for a Liverpool side striving towards the top-end of the league. A growing confidence within the squad has been noticeable in our opening three fixtures and throughout a successful pre-season campaign. I feel that Rodgers’ confidence in players like Jordan Henderson is growing massively as the midfielder has begun to state his claim as an established starter. Henderson is a player amongst many who has been given room to manoeuvre in a squad that has become more complete yet accommodative towards its youthful talents of the group, allowing young players to shine. New recruits Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto highlight a tendency towards buying fluid, versatile attacking options at relatively low prices and somewhat replicate the transfer of Michu to Swansea last summer; low-risk buys that have potential to become key transfers. The imminent reintroduction of Luis Suarez into the Liverpool line-up may add further optimism and momentum into a side growing in confidence and for now, sitting pretty at the top end of the table. Arguably the retention of our charismatic number seven marks the greatest transfer coup of all this summer. The influx of defensive reinforcements at Anfield this season may encourage both confidence and confusion amongst the Anfield faithful who, although can be comforted by the reassurance of solid defensive options at the back, can recognise a void left, or opened by the seemingly inexorable introduction of that promised attacking, goal scoring midfielder. A plethora of internationally recognised defenders may ease this failure and leaves Rodgers with a rather pleasant headache. With the signings of Tiago Ilori and Mamadou Sakho on deadline day, along with the loan-deal for Aly Cissokho and the bosman free Kolo Toure, Liverpool find themselves in a situation of healthy competition, especially defensively, in the squad. A suitable range of ages, experience and potential ability contributes positively to the team’s spirit. It may be the case that ‘3 at the back’ could be an option for Rodgers at Anfield this coming season to accommodate for the numerous centre backs who will feel deserving of their name being on Brendan’s team sheet; aiding Brendan’s attempts to filter through a hierarchy of so-called ‘first choice’ defenders. The squad as a whole has witnessed undoubted strengthening this summer. Although Sakho may not be the ‘marquee’, show stopping, mercurial master the crowds were hoping for, he represents not only a heightened quality in personnel, but the growing sensibility of our scouting team who sought talented, youthful ‘stars’ with the potential to grow from tents into what we call marquees, so to speak.