Earlier this week I wrote a piece – which you can read here – on why life without Luis Suarez will be just fine for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool. Nevertheless, the Premier League season is still in its embryonic stages, and with so much yet to happen it may be worth examining the counter argument, that the Reds’ transfer dealings will lead to a season of failure rather than success. After all, it is normal practice for the avid football fan to pore over every minute detail of their club’s business in the transfer window, and inevitably harbour concerns over a particular player who may prove to be averse to the demands of Premier League football. Though there are strong signs that Liverpool have bought well, one can never be too sure; for every Daniel Sturridge there is an Andy Carroll, for every Xabi Alonso a Christian Poulsen.
Last season’s feeble defensive record – epitomised by the three-goal capitulation at Crystal Palace in their penultimate game – ultimately cost Liverpool a first league title in 24 years. For all the team’s attacking verve, without a solid backline winning the championship will always be an uphill struggle. Rodgers has responded to this defensive ineptness by prising centre-back Dejan Lovren away from Southampton, whilst also tempting Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo away from La Liga to earn their stripes in English football instead. Lovren, however, has looked sluggish and unconvincing in his early Liverpool career, whilst Alberto Moreno will take time to adjust following his costly mistake in the defeat to Manchester City, despite redeeming himself with a magnificent solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur. Javier Manquillo is a promising though ultimately inexperienced right-back, and as for Liverpool’s longer serving defenders the terms of Glen Johnson’s blackmail of Brendan Rodgers still remain a mystery, which can be the only explanation for his baffling persistence with playing the pedestrian England full-back.
Despite a fine start to his Liverpool career, saving a last minute Jon Walters penalty on the opening day of the season against Stoke, Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was party to a number of errors in his first season at the Anfield club, most notably in a crucial away game against Manchester City in which he was arguably at fault for both City goals. For all his shot-stopping ability, his aerial presence was susceptible to pressure at times, and his distribution could be found wanting. An absence of credible competition may be one explanation for this, with Brad Jones never a realistic competitor for the goalkeeper jersey, yet Rodgers has decided to stick with his deputy this season (unless rumours of a move for Victor Valdes materialise). Without an injection of healthy competition amongst Liverpool’s men in gloves, Mignolet’s weaknesses may once again come to the fore this season.
Part of what made Liverpool so successful in their title challenge is the way in which their midfield trio – usually consisting of Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and one of Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen – was able to dominate the middle of the park, pressing their opponents with masterful efficiency and allowing the forwards to flourish. However, this cannot hide the fact that the team had a glaring lack of cover in midfield, and were it not for the relative good fortune they enjoyed with regard to injuries and suspensions, the season could have been a lot less successful than it turned out to be. Though Emre Can and Adam Lallana are talented individuals and add depth to Liverpool’s midfield, they do not solve the problem of a replacement for Gerrard in the ‘quarterback’ role, a buzzword for the midfielder dictating the play in front of the back four. The Liverpool captain excelled in the role last season but with Champions League football to consider this campaign, the 34 year-old cannot be expected to start every game. With Lucas Leiva’s best days seemingly behind him, Liverpool need a cover, if not an eventual long-term replacement, for Gerrard in this deep-lying role – something which they have failed to address in the transfer window.
Last but not least, we are faced with the small issue of Luis Suarez. Though his striking partner Daniel Sturridge was prolific in front of goal last season, the Uruguayan’s goals proved invaluable – he topped the scoring charts with 31 league goals in 33 appearances. With Suarez now gone, his replacements come in the form of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli. At 32, the former is unlikely to match Suarez’s ruthlessness, whilst the potential pitfalls of having the undeniably talented Balotelli on the playing staff do not need to be re-examined. It was always going to be a challenge for Liverpool to find a striker as capable as Suarez, and without his menacing presence the Reds may ultimately lack the goals needed to lift the trophy in May, especially considering Manchester City’s equally formidable record in finding the net last season.
A season of cautious optimism awaits for Liverpool, with a first venture into the promised land of the Champions League since 2009. It remains to be seen, however, if the new boys can turn out to be as successful as the vintage class of 2013.
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