Liverpool might well have been on the better side of Raheem Sterling’s £49 million move to Manchester City but the England forward’s previous club, Queen’s Park Rangers, were the recipients of a sizeable chunk of that fee and Brendan Rodgers has already reinvested the remainder, and more.
Nathaniel Clyne, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke, for upwards of a total of £70 million, nudged Rodgers’ tally of 8-figure signings since he took over at Anfield to 12 and the Northern Irishman now needs to prove he’s as astute in the transfer market as he is perceived to be tactically.
Benteke should flourish if receiving adequate service but the Liverpool squad isn’t bursting with natural width to supply the bustling Belgian and the ex-Aston Villa striker might have to adapt his style in the unlikely event of Rodgers abandoning his favoured methods.
Clyne’s arrival from Southampton looks like excellent business but the fullback wouldn’t be the first former Saint to fail to live up to expectations having departed the south coast, and none more so is that evident on Merseyside.
Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana still have plenty to prove while Rickie Lambert has already departed for West Bromwich Albion after little impact following his move. Luke Shaw, who became a Red Devil after a Saint when signing for Manchester United 12 months ago, has also struggled in pastures new and it is with interest that Clyne lines up on the opposite to fellow new boy, Joe Gomez.
Gomez impressed on debut in the 1-0 win at Stoke on the opening weekend and the former Charlton Athletic defender can make the position his own.
Liverpool were undone time and again last season due to defensive fragilities but they looked robust enough at The Britannia and, if the exciting new recruits can click at the other end, a serious assault on the top four, at the least, is on the cards.
Top of that list is surely Firmino, a Brazilian international via Hoffenheim, who could thrive once any Copa America hangover has been blown away.
There were signs that might be soon forthcoming when he notched a treble against TNS in a midweek friendly after the victory over Mark Hughes’ men and his link up play with Daniel Sturridge, now very much Liverpool’s main man in Steven Gerrard’s absence, could be a joy to behold.
The odds for Liverpool also look enticing as not many bookies have them doing anything special this season. This comes from being in wilderness for so long. You can take up some very lucrative positions after trying out a selection of mobile games and reading indepth reviews on your best bet.
For all the longing after Luis Suarez, and memories of the previous captain, the ammunition is there to fill the void and it could prove that the cheapest of the lot turns out to be the most valuable recruit.
James Milner was Manchester City’s most consistent player since the turn of the year and Rodgers should be commended for persuading the midfielder to swap blue for red on a free transfer.
His partnership alongside Jordan Henderson could prove Liverpool’s trump card in tight, high profile matches and Milner has developed a keen eye for goal, too.
Yet to turn 30, Milner and Henderson may end of establishing themselves not just hey figures for Liverpool but the England side also as manager Roy Hodgson looks towards Euro 2016 and the former could be the perfect fit for Gerrard’s sizeable shirt.
