Evaluating Liverpool's transfer window

Catastrophic. Just one of the words that perfectly sums up the calamities of last summers transfer window. It's no secret that Liverpool needed to strengthen their squad, and the January window was a perfect opportunity to rectify their mistakes and strengthen the squad. Liverpool had a fairly active transfer window in comparison to some other of the Premier League clubs, spending roughly £20 million, which was only outdone by struggling QPR and Newcastle United.


Dempsey chose Tottenham over Liverpool... a sign of
Liverpool's recent demise?

Liverpool were left perilously short of attacking options after failing to sign the American, Clint Dempsey, at the end of the Summer transfer window. This left only Suarez, Sterling, Borini and Downing as the only real attacking options, and this has turned out to be a real mistake. This awful situation intensified when Borini broke his foot and was out for 3 months, and consequently the Merseyside’s have paid the price, dropping a number of points and finding themselves 20 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United. So Rodgers had to spend in January, but did he spend the money available to him wisely?

I follow a lot of Liverpool fan sites and read the fans views on some of the players we should get, and quite frankly, some, if not most of the suggestions were ludicrous. What people must realise is that we aren't a top 4 club anymore. Although our history is one of the best, players are not going to come to us as we simply cannot match the big clubs wages. But most importantly, is that the world's most prestigious players won't want to join us as we can't offer Champions League football. That means world class players like Edison Cavani and Radamel Falcao will not want to join us. So to the people that suggest that the Reds should sign them, be realistic.

Surridge and Coutinho could both bring
added flair to Liverpool's attack

That being said, Liverpool ended up making 2 major signings in the transfer window, and I was very happy with the arrival of both Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho. Both are attacking minded players, and both players are young and have at least another 10-15 years of their playing days to go, meaning they fit the FSG project masterfully. I know Sturridge has his critics, and I've seen many stat men slate him, but I believe he was a very good signing. Ever since the front man burst onto the scene with Manchester City in 2007, his skill, pace and eye for goal has impressed me. Pace in particular is a department where Liverpool are lacking, and his pace adds an extra dimension to Liverpool's attack. Moreover, we have seen glimpses with his chemistry with both Luis Suarez and Jonjo Shelvey, and I believe Sturridge's talent can compliment both of these players. At £12 million the price may be seen as a little extortionate, but I believe the price was worth paying given the former Chelsea man's pace and finishing ability. The 4 goals he has scored in his opening 6 games indicates his talent, and proves that he may well be an important signing for the Reds.

Coutinho too is a man who I was very happy when I heard the Reds had signed him. It looked as if Liverpool were more interested with his Dutch teammate at Inter, Wesley Sneijder, but in the end the Reds went with Coutinho. Good decision. At 20, Coutinho has his best years ahead of him, and his creativity and trickery will benefit the likes of Sturridge and Suarez up front. At 30, although Sneijder is the more experienced and a more well known player, his age means his price and wages would probably not be justified considering his best years are behind him. Although I have not seen much of Coutinho, I have heard some great things and watched a few clips of his performances, and he reminds me a little bit of Oscar at Chelsea. They are the same style of player, both like to create just behind the front man, and if Coutinho will perform anywhere near to the standard that Oscar is at Chelsea, he'll be a fantastic signing.



There are evident comparisons to Oscar's (above)
and Coutinho's style of play

However, I was a little disappointed that Liverpool did not invest in a natural winger in the transfer window. Although Borini and Sturridge can both play on the wing, they are not natural wide men and thus aren't suitable options for the position. In addition, I have been a little bit disappointed with the performances of Sterling (only in recent weeks) and in particular Downing, and I think the wing position is Liverpool's weakest position. Although Sterling is young and obviously extremely talented, I think his early exposure to first team football is starting to take his toll, and another winger would’ve eased the burden on him and would’ve given him a much needed rest. However, despite this, I don't think it was essential that a winger were to be brought. But a top class winger would've made helped the squad leaps and bounds, and could've even helped Liverpool's goal to accomplish a Champions League place and eclipse Everton's league position again.

But all in all, this was a very successful transfer window for Liverpool. The acquisitions of Coutinho and Sturridge looked to have reinforced Liverpool's attacking options, and have definitely added quality to the team as a whole. But most importantly, Rodgers was able to keep the squad together. Agger has been frequently linked to Manchester City, and it was rumoured that Bayern Munich were subject to bid £40 million for Liverpool's main man; Luis Suarez. If these 2 players were to leave, then Liverpool would’ve been hit hard and I could see them dropping down to a mid table club. But it was not to be, and buoyed by the signings of both Sturridge and Coutinho, the January transfer window was undoubtedly a success for Liverpool and I look forward to how the team will perform for the rest of the season.