It’s no doubt that Liverpool have simply not been able to replace Luis Suarez and his performances despite spending over a £100 million this transfer window. Brendan Rodgers and the management at Liverpool have been heavily criticized over the past few weeks for the lack of adequate performances and results of the team they assembled in the summer. While replacing Suarez was never going to be an easy job to do, here is an assessment of how Rodgers’ signings of this summer have fared so far in their Anfield career.
Adam Lallana (Southampton to Liverpool)
The Saints skipper had the start of his Anfield career delayed considerably after having suffered a nasty injury during pre-season. The two-footed midfielder has shown enough to the fans to get them excited about his contribution to the Reds midfield. Lallana’s ability to switch feet with consummate ease makes him a very dangerous opponent to play against. While the Reds most expensive signing hasn’t exactly set the world alight, he has done enough to get the fans excited about his possible link-up play with Daniel Sturridge.
Verdict – HIT
Dejan Lovren (Southampton to Liverpool)
The Croatian centre-back promised to solve Liverpool’s crisis at the back. On paper, Lovren looked like the answer to all Liverpool fans’ prayers for a leader in defense. Apart from the friendly against Borussia Dortmund before the start of the season, Lovren has looked very average in the heart of the Liverpool defense. When in possession, Lovren an acknowledged ball-playing centre-back has looked like a bunch of nerves. Rushing put to make ill-advised challenges; the centre-half has let his back-four down on more occasions than once this season.
Verdict – MISS
Lazar Markovic (Benfica to Liverpool)
The young Serb has found football In England hard to settle into, to say the least. The 20 year old who swapped the Estadio Dragao for Anfield is a speed-merchant who has struggled with the physicality of the English game. With age on his side and patience that fans are willing to show, Markovic can still turn things around in a Red shirt.
Verdict – MISS
Mario Balotelli (AC Milan to Liverpool)
In simple words – The Flop of the Lot. Much was expected from the talented yet inconsistent Italian striker when Liverpool finalized the deal. While it would be wrong to deny that Liverpool fans looked at him as someone who could replace Suarez, Balotelli has replaced the role played by Iago Aspas last season. Frustrating on the ball and perpetually off the pace of the game – Balotelli may have the fans’ confidence but even that is wearing thin if it hasn’t already. Its high time the Italian starts scoring.
Verdict – MISS
Alberto Moreno (Sevilla to Liverpool)
The long draw signing of Alberto Moreno was finally completed a day before the Spaniard took part in the final of the European Cup-Winners Cup. Moreno has been by far the best signing of the summer for the Reds. Barring his odd lapse in concentration, Moreno has showed enough potential for Reds fans to rest assured that they have at their hands a gem of a player who will be part of their back-four for years to come. Pace, power and heart – Moreno has everything Reds fans have been searching for in a left-back since the departure of John Arne Riise.
Verdict – HIT
Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool)
The greatest compliment one can pay the German and his contribution so far is that he does look like the most likely successor to the Liverpool skipper in midfield. 20 year old Can missed a chunk of the action this season already. However, since returning he has added new dimensions to the Liverpool midfield with his physicality, drive and presence in midfield. His goal against Chelsea was just a glimpse of what the youngster is capable of. Has all the makings of being an Anfield favorite for years to come.
Verdict – HIT
Rickie Lambert (Southampton to Liverpool)
The Liverpool-born striker completed his dream move to Anfield but it has been anything but a dream ever since he pulled on a Red shirt. Still searching for his first Liverpool goal, Lambert has been relegated to being an impact player coming off the bench and trying his best to affect games. Simply not on the same wave-length as the rest of the team, Lambert has a lot of work to do if he has to turn his Anfield career around.
Verdict – MISS
Javier Manquillo (Atletico Madrid to Liverpool)
The young Spaniard is everything Glen Johnson isn’t for the Reds. While its baffling why Rodgers’ still sticks to the English full-back despite Manquillo proving his mettle game after game. Still an unfinished product, Manquillo’s defensive stability is huge plus to a Liverpool defense that leaks goals more than a squeaky water-tap.
Vedrict – HIT