With the January transfer window soon upon us, Liverpool supporters far and wide will be casting their beedy eyes across other clubs to see if there are any possible recruits that Kenny Dalglish can bring to the club during the business period.
Looking at Liverpool’s season thus far and the performances they’ve put in, you have to feel somewhat for the players, the manager and the supporters alike. Since Dalglish’s arrival he has instilled a new purpose and dimension to the team’s play and this is evident from the side’s current sixth position in the table. It’s also apparent the team hasn’t had the best of luck in front of goal, but that said, there have been plenty chances missed.
In terms of where improvements can be made, one has to look at the attack first. Crystal balls would no longer sell due to the predictability of Liverpool’s home performances. Basically: Start brightly, passing and movement as good as you’d see anywhere and plenty of attacking endeavour. Visiting Goalkeeper plays out of his skin making save after save to keep his team in sight. Then either: Home side takes the lead and fails, despite numerous attempts at goal and probably hitting the woodwork a couple of times, to put the game beyond the visiting side only to ship a silly goal and wind up camped in front of the kop looking for a winner. Thwarted by bus-like defence and brilliant ‘keeper. OR Home side ships a silly goal and winds up chasing the game and again camped in front of the kop, equalise, but unable to force a winner.
A striker in January is a must. Luis Suarez, despite being as good a striker as Liverpool have had since the days of Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres when he could play, Suarez has been well marshalled by visiting defences and is not quite as clinical when needed to be. Andy Carroll, well for all of the money spent, he’s not adapted to Dalglish’s game even though there has been a “long ball” element added in order to cater for his aerial ability.
Liverpool need a finisher. Someone similar to Jermaine Defoe, who seems to struggle to get a game at White Hart Lane, even though he’s scored more goals in fewer appearances than the more favoured Luca Modric. Another name that’s been mentioned is Teo Gutierrez of Racing Club in Argentina. A quick ‘butchers’ on youtube shows he’s certainly got talent and looks to be a better finisher than Suarez. I’m just not sure he’d get the kind of space he’s being afforded currently in Argentina’s top flight here in the Premiership.
Now that Steven Gerrard is back, I think the midfield should be ok, although there is a case for a holding midfielder if not just to provide some extra cover for Lucas. To be honest though, I think the policy of youth should be abandoned for this position and go for somebody with experience. Someone that can sit in front of the back four and simply provide cover. I don’t think there are many young players out there that can do this because it takes some maturity. Names? Well the lad at Barcelona, Seydou Keita definately fits the bill and I don’t think he’d cost too much. Rennes’ Yan M’Villa, one of the few younger players able to play in the position would command a fee in the region of £15-20m which is perhaps too much, expecially as the lad is only 21. Still, if you look at what Liverpool paid for Carroll, then it doesn’t seem like a bad deal!
The defence is performing admirably and have conceded the least goals in the Premiership so far this season. What I would say is that Sebastian Coates is not adequate cover. Yes, there is also Jamie Carragher who can come in and do a job, but unfortunately Carragher’s best days are sadly behind him. Thus there is a need for A N other who can come in and perform if the club gets into dire straights defensively. As for who, well Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor would for sure be welcome at Liverpool and from what I’ve seen, another Ryan, Shawcross at Stoke would also fit the bill. The problem with those two is that there’d be no guarantee of first team footie which they’re both getting at the moment.
It’s fair to say that all areas of the team can do with a new face, but the attack seems to be where the need is greatest, considering Carroll has developed ‘goal-a-phobia’ and Suarez will be banned for a while now. If Dalglish can secure a decent striker, then the club may well be able to convert some of the numerous chances which are created – and wasted – each match.
By Ben Green
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