A New Beginning

With the kick-off of the 2012 season fast approaching and several weaknesses in the squad, the Summer transfer window will be critical in establishing a strong line-up that can contend for a coveted Top 4 spot and berth into the Champions League.

The first order of business upon arriving at Melwood was to compile an initial Squad Report including youth players that are eligible for the first team.  This graphically laid out each individual players abilities and potential, allowing me to assess each player immediate contribution as well as how they will progress in the future.

The best players in the squad that will be in the starting XI week in and week out are Luis Suarez, Captain Steven Gerrard, Defensive Force Daniel Agger and the resurgent Lucas Leiva.  Our starting XI for our first friendly is as follows.

 

For the following friendlies I will be rotating several players through to see who fits into our team, who does not, and who can be used as a super-sub during the season.

The reason for using formation is accessing the depth this squad has at Center Mid.  Liverpool have 5 central midfielders that can be used in rotation as well the up and coming Jonjo Shelvey, as well as youngsters Conor Coady, Suso and Jay Spearing who is on loan to Bolton.

Also, in this formation Luis Suarez will be used as a False 9, while he can play as an out-and-out striker he is more effective in a free-role.  This will allow our wingers to cut into the box and present us with goal scoring opportunities.

This poses some issues with our current squad.  Certain players simply do not fit in.
These players are Former Chelsea player Joe Cole, Underachieving winger Stewart Downing, former prodigy Dani Pacheco.  Money made in the transfer of these players in addition to the budget given to us buy the board will be used to fund transfers for young, dynamic players.

After assessing the values of our transfer listed players and the gaps that they will leave in the squad I drew up a short list of players that we will be going after in the summer window.  They are Udinese's 21 year old Luis Muriel, Dinamo Moscow's tricky and pacy winger Balazs Dzsudzsak are the main targets, we will also be looking to strengthen our defense with an experienced Left Back to provide cover for Jose Enrique.

                             Two players that will look good in red come September 1st....