Our shortcomings have become obvious over the past season, but now Rafa Benitez has at last the warchest to make Liverpool Football Club a serious contender for the league title, and this is what he needs to do in the transfer season to make it happen.
In goal Reina will once again reign supreme with Daniele Padelli as his cover and we may see Scott Carson off loaded.
In defence Carragher is the only guaranteed player to start a game if fit, Agger his partner for this year may seem his obvious partner but as seen in the way he was totally outdone by Drogba and the fact that Mourhinho singled him out as the weak link in the first leg of the Champions League means there could be some substance that Liverpool want to sign Gabriel Milito. The left back position seems to be between John Arne Riise and Fabio Aurelio, although both are great going forward there will always be question marks about their ability to defend, but both should be safe next season. On the right back it is a lot more complicated, it is no secret we want Daniel Alves but what position would he play, Finnan does a great job at right back, but as Alves can also play right back or midfield,so where would Rafa want him to play, i would be a bit wary us trying to play someone on the wing that is naturally defensive like the case of Riise on the other wing.
In midfield is where things are most complicated and a lot revolves on one current Anfield player, Alonso may or may not be on is on his way out, but i think we have already bought his replacement, Lucas the 20 year old Brazilian. Next year i expect to see Gerrard occupy his favoured central midfield role and have Mascherano playing alongside him and Lucas and Sissoko being backup.
In the wide positions is where Liverpool need major improvements and i think as good as Pennant has improved over the final months of the season another top class right winger is needed but on the left we could actually be looking for two, Zendon is on his way i hope, and Kewell also, so that just leaves us with Gonzalez who has been unimpressive since his much highlighted move, but this is his first season so maybe Rafa will give him another chance to prove his worth, as for the wingers we could sign for these positions the media list is endless, but one name that keeps cropping up is Simao Sabrosa ,Joaquín Sánchez has also been mentioned along with just about every decent winger playing in the Iberian Peninsula today so for wing positions it really is any ones guess who Rafa will opt for.
But the big name signing this summer is going to be the Striker, we all know we need a top class one but we cant seem to agree on who that should be. The two names that seem to be top of the list are Tevez and Eto`o.
Tevez has already proved that he can handle the premiership while Eto`o has shown what a loose cannon he can be, but I have posted stories before that have hinted that my preference would be Eto`o above the merits of Villa, Tevez and co.
Some people may say he would not suit the rotation policy that Rafa employs, but remember this, Rafa only rotates the players that are not playing good enough as Carra, Gerrard and Kuyt proved from last season. Tevez would be good and probably not that hard to get because of his friendship with Mascherano and using Bellamy as bait but still i think Eto`o is the man that can bring us to the next level, and Rafa proved with Bellamy he is not afraid to take on a troubled player if it can help the team, and even though most of Europe wants to sign Eto`o i believe that the wheels are already in motion to use Alonso as a serious bargaining chip to make sure that Eto`o will be playing for Liverpool next year.
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