Liverpool came away with a 1-1 draw against Bordeaux in their opening group game of the Europa League.
Despite controlling majority of the game, Brendan Rodgers’ side failed to finish it off and were punished through a later error from Joe Gomez.
After a massive spending spree this summer, Liverpool have made another poor start to the season. Rodgers spent a massive 60 million pounds trying to beef up his attacking options, in the form of Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.
However, the Reds have struggled to create chances, let alone score goals. With just three league goals so far (a own goal and two wonder strikes from Coutinho and Benteke), Rodgers has overseen a terrible return on his investment.
As Liverpool look to get their season back on track against Norwich this Sunday, we look at some of the players/positions Rodgers should have strengthened in the summer.
Yevhen Konoplyanka
The Ukrainian joined Sevilla on a free transfer this summer and was one of the few players Liverpool desperately needed to sign.
Liverpool got rid of Raheem Sterling in the summer and did nothing to replace him with another winger. Instead, Rodgers chose to loan out his only other experienced winger in Lazar Markovic.
As Jamie Carragher pointed out on Monday Night Football, Liverpool seem to prefer playing 4-3-3, but lack a specialist wide man.
Konoplyanka has been impressive for Sevilla so far and considering Liverpool’s interest in him last summer, one would expect them to make their move, especially when he was free and up for grabs.
Nicolas Nkoulou
No team in the Premier League needs a right sided centre back more than Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers’ side have been crying out for a solid defensive partnership.
With the likes of Skrtel and Lovren struggling to defend for their lives, Rodgers should have signed a proper partner for Sakho.
Nkoulou is one of the most talented defenders in Ligue 1 and wants out of Marseille. The Cameroon international is nearing the end of his deal and would have been available for a reasonable price.
On paper, Sakho and Nkoulou compliment each other’s attributes and speaking the same language would have been an added bonus.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
Judging by their displays last season and the first five games of this season, a defensive midfielder should have been a priority for Brendan Rodgers.
Alongside a centre back, a defensive shield in front of the back four is exactly what Liverpool need. Krychowiak has been one of the best midfielders in La Liga last season and has a reasonable release clause (20 million pounds).
Rodgers chose to sign James Milner as his Steven Gerrard replacement, and despite his commendable workrate, Milner is nothing like the controller Liverpool need.
Krychowiak would have been the ideal partner for Henderson and Emre Can in a midfield three. The Polish international’s superb reading of the game and ability to protect the back four would have allowed Liverpool’s attacking players to move forward with more license.
Verdict: Despite spending an excess of 300 million pounds since taking charge at Liverpool, Rodgers has failed to address his side’s main weaknesses and it was similar story this summer as well. Around 80 million pound spent in the summer and Liverpool still have weaknesses all across the park.
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