Liverpool’s transfer window, ultimately, was quite successful. Beginning at the close of last season, England striker and boyhood Liverpool academy player Rickie Lambert was the first of many signings to come in to grace the ranks at Anfield (on June 2nd). To outsiders, this was a strange and underwhelming transfer. To the Anfield faithful this was a plan B that didn’t necessarily infringe on the free flowing attacking football instilled under Rodgers.
Following his Southampton teammate to Liverpool was another England international in the form of Adam Lallana. Lallana is by all accounts a creative and tidy player. Offering more of a physical presence to Coutinho and some much needed competition in the number ten role, Lallana’s versatility in the attacking roles could prove integral to the breaking down of teams that scuppered the Reds last season.
Shortly after the arrival of Lallana came the young German Emre Can. A transfer recommended by former fan favourite Sami Hypia, Can comes in as a versatile, quick and powerful midfielder. Can may find breaking into the starting XI a challenge, but with time on his hands and the physical presence to come into a game and change the complexion of the game it should be a challenge he relishes. At £10 million it seems to a bargain.
Tracked by both Chelsea and Liverpool from his teenage years, the Reds beat the London club to the signing of Serbian Lazar Markovic from Sporting Benfica. At the age of 20, Markovic possesses speed, skill and a footballing brain, along with the potential to be one of Europe’s best in his positon. Although coming in at a princely £20 million, Markovic is an exciting transfer, and a real signal of intent from Liverpool as they re-enter the Champions League and aim to challenge one again for the Premier League.
The third arrival from Southampton came in the form of Dejan Lovren. An impressive start to his Premier League career with the south coast side after being somewhat of a scapegoat for former team Olympic Lyonnais, Lovren arrives at Liverpool as a player comfortable in possession. Touted by Jamie Carragher to be the leader the defence has lacked his own departure, the Croatian will look to cement his place in Liverpool’s team and provide a much better wall on front of ‘keeper Simon Mignolet.
After an impressive World Cup in Brazil with Belgium, Liverpool’s acquisition of Divock Origi has sparked jealousy amongst Europe’s elites. Keeping the now Everton player Romelu Lukaku out of the Belgian team, Origi possesses pace, power and an eye for goal. The deal consisted of a loan back to Lille. Although numerous fans would have preferred to have the Belgian at the club this year, the game time he will receive playing at a relatively high level will be beneficial to all parties.
As August arrived, so too did part one to the problem of Liverpool’s fullback problems. Having played only six times for parent club Atletico Madrid, young fullback Javier Manquillo arrived at Liverpool on an initial two-year loan deal. Providing flexibility and insurance with the deal structured this way, Manquillo was a very clever signing by Rodgers and co as the need to replace the aging and struggling Glen Johnson continues. Having not played much last season nobody knew what to expect from Manquillo but bags of pace.
Part two arrived ten days later. As a target all summer, left-back Alberto Moreno arrived after the European Super Cup from Sevilla. An attacking and pacey fullback, Moreno brings as much potential as he does excitement to the fans. This deal represents not only a bargain but also an end to the long search for a left-back capable of bringing Liverpool back to Europe’s elite. Having just missed out on Spain’s squad for the World Cup, Moreno is the man Liverpool have needed years
The final arrival of the transfer window came in the form of former Man City striker Mario Balotelli. With a troubled past both on and off the field, Balotelli seems to have matured greatly since joining AC Milan and could bring the much needed goals lost by Luis Suarez. I for one am delighted with the acquisition of the Italian who, at the very least, will bring a level of entertainment not seen at Liverpool for years.
Not all was seen as positive for Liverpool this summer. The loss of Luis Suarez has many counting the Reds out of any sort of challenge for honours, but with the problems caused by the Uruguayan in the past and indeed during the World Cup, perhaps the long term image and future of the club is better off. Pepe Reina swapped Liverpool for Munich, upsetting many Liverpool fans in the process. As a fan favourite, Reina was missed from the moment he went on loan last summer to Napoli. Two academy graduates also left on permanent deals, with Kelly and Robinson joining Crystal Palace and QPR respectively. Numerous players left on loan, with most of the deals looking as great business for Liverpool.
All in all, this can be seen as a resounding success. Yes, the club has lost arguably the third best player in the world, but the squad is considerably stronger as a result. What was a relatively weak squad last season now has substantial depth and strength. There are two or more players available for each position, a stronger defence and more options in attack. This is an exciting squad that Reds fans the world over will be relishing the sight of as the season progresses.
