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Liverpool’s new-look squad are a formidable sight

By on June 24, 2015

Liverpool FC have signed five additions so far this summer and recently completed their first big money deal in the form of Roberto Firmino, for £29 million. The Brazilian has penned a five-year contract at the Premier League club, making him second most expensive club signing, behind Andy Carroll’s £35 million in January 2011.

Reportedly, the deal was cinched after scouts watched Firmino representing Brazil at the ongoing Copa America, and witnessed him score in a 2-1 win over Venezuela. He scored forty-seven goals in one-hundred-and-fifty-one games during his four-and-a-half-year spell with Hoffenheim and as the 23-year-old begins to star for Brazil, his agent reportedly pushed for a big-money club move. Manchester United’s interest was also piqued, but they instead opted to sign Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven for a similar fee.

Liverpool’s recent transfer record has been hit-or-miss, to be kind, with high-profile signings Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana, and Dejan Lovren all struggling at the club, though Philippe Coutinho has become an integral cog.  Rodgers may have signed the 23-year-old Firmino as an ultimate replacement for Raheem Sterling, should Sterling complete his much-rumored move to Manchester City. Certainly, Firmino’s signing appears to give Sterling’s move a green light.

As such, Firmino is likely to be given ample opportunities to break into the starting lineup. Liverpool have also brought in James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, and Joe Gomez this summer, with Ings’ name standing out as another solution to Liverpool’s striking problems. Gomez, still a teenager, is one for the future while Bogdan is a back-up goalkeeper to Simon Mignolet. Milner, meanwhile, is set to slide into the hole Steven Gerrard left in Liverpool’s midfield. Jordan Henderson would likely take over captain duties with Martin Skrtel as vice-captain.

However, Rodgers has managed to keep his transfer bill relatively low apart from Firmino, with Ings costing £6million, Gomez coming for £3.5million from Charlton and Milner and Bogdan coming on free transfers. Still, the transfer window hasn’t fully opened yet and The Reds are also targeting Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne, reportedly having a £10m bid turned down.

All in all, Liverpool’s lineup could look considerably more formidable next season. Coutinho, Firmino, and Ings will all be up front to support Daniel Sturridge and should the Englishman find his form, Liverpool will most certainly be back in the Champions League race.

Milner and Henderson will likely form a partnership in the middle while Clyne, should he join, could slide into a wing-back position opposite of Alberto Moreno. Emre Can, Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho would then form a three-man back-line, with competition from Dejan Lovren.

And still, Liverpool would maintain a stocked bench of Bogdan, Gomez, Jordan Ibe, Adam Lallana, Lucas, and one of Liverpool’s forwards. If Lucas leaves Anfield this summer, Joe Allen should take his place on the bench and if Clyne doesn’t join, Lazar Markovic will come into the squad on the bench and Ibe would start. And other new signings may still join — Liverpool have been linked with South American strikers Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon.

Photo credit: Ailura on Wikipedia Commons

About Richard Lewis

Richard Lewis can relate almost anything to football and quite often does! You may have seen Richard's previous ideas and work in the BBC Match of the Day Magazine, from 2011 to present. He is a Manchester United and England fan, but has gone to see Leyton Orient play with his O's season ticket in the 2013/14 campaign. Aside from football, Richard has written articles on Doctor Who and studies English Language and Linguistics at the University of Westminster. Aspiring sports journalist.