A failed attempt to make European competition, an absolute collapse on the European stage and no domestic silverware. Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers must put last season behind them and focus on a new year.
Here are the things that Rodgers needs to accomplish to fulfil his objectives. Can he break into the top four again?
Secure the signing of Nathaniel Clyne and solidify the defensive spine
After one bid for Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne was rejected, Rodgers has reportedly offered the club £18 million for the young English defender.
Clyne would replace Glen Johnson, who will be departing the club, and allow Rodgers to move back to a stronger formation, with four at the back.
Last season, it seemed as if Liverpool’s formation with three centre-halves was working for the first few weeks as they recorded four wins in seven games. That may sound like it’s good form, but not considering the final few games of the season.
Liverpool endured a horror run which started with a home loss to Manchester United, and a humiliating 4-1 loss at the Emirates. They then lost their last two matches, 1-3 at home to Crystal Palace and 6-1 away to Stoke city respectively, and those six points could have put them in a Europa League spot.
After an injury to starting centre-half Mamadou Sakho, which ruled him out for up to eight weeks, one of their strongest and most dominant centre-halves was out. The same injury plagued Sakho last season and it seems to be becoming a regular occurrence.
Emre Can is a very strong player and deserves a starting spot in the defence. Although he is versatile and can play in the midfield, as he has done at the Under-21 Euro, Rodgers seems to prefer him at the back.
This will push Sakho as a replacement and leave Martin Skrtel and Can as defensive partners.
With Alberto Moreno moving into his second season at Anfield, he’ll be home in the left-back position, and much like Clyne, his agility and pace, along with his attacking work rate, suit the Rodgers philosophy.
Clyne can help bring balance to the Liverpool defence, with both full-backs with the same qualities and an even defensive and attacking nous to the game.
Supporting Philippe Coutinho
One of the positives to Liverpool’s season was the progress and development of attacking midfielder Coutinho. The Brazilian signed a new contract, keeping him at Anfield until 2020, which means Rodgers can build his midfield around the versatile playmaker.
He was outstanding individually last season, providing five goals and five assists. Also at times we saw Coutinho desperately struggle to make ground and play his free moving game. Liverpool looked flat and run down without the prolific midfielder.
His great performances last year were aided greatly by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, whether it’s Suarez’s departure and Sturridge’s absence that has prevented him from performing well this season, then someone has to support him.
Jordan Henderson did a great job this season assisting two of his goals and Coutinho returning the favour.
But the vice-captain isn’t as versatile and quick paced as Coutinho. Henderson will most likely fill the spot of departed captain Steven Gerrard, which leaves a central midfield spot open for a more prolific player.
Coutinho is assisted by Willian in the Brazil national team and this should be a lesson to Rodgers. The Reds need to sign a player who can provide Coutinho with the creative movement and help the No. 10 when he is at his best.
Firmino, who has just been announced as Liverpool’s latest signing, could provide this assistance.
Goals galore
Shoring up the defence and adding creativity in the midfield all mean nothing if there is not a centre-forward who can bang the goals in.
Liverpool conceded 48 goals and scored 52, leaving a positive four goal difference, compared to last season, where they conceded three more, but scored 49 more.
With Fabio Borini expected to leave, and Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli used as squad players, the purchase of Danny Ings and the return of Divock Origi could prove a difference. Although it is most likely that Origi will go back on loan.
Ings and Origi are targeting 10-goal seasons, but they need someone who can score 18-25 goals a season.
Carlos Bacca has recently jumped onto Rodgers’ shortlist. The Colombian proving he is a prolific goalscorer, notching up 20 league goals for Sevilla, including seven goals in the Europa League.
He is estimated to be worth around £22 million.
This could be the deadline for Rodgers this coming season, either make the top four or face the cut. With these movements, I believe Liverpool will raise a few eyebrows next season.
Kaks
Roar Guru
really? What makes you think that? I'm intrigued as i'd pick them as favourites for the title next year
144
Roar Guru
most likely arsenal
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Ummmm, winning is a definition of a good comp!!!! Chelsea won, they play in the EPL.
144
Roar Guru
you cannot judge a player before he plays, you can only judge a player by their first season, if they make an impact and contribute greatly, then they are a good signing. people going around saying firmino and Milner are amazing signings, while they are big names, what if they only provide a goal or only one assist between them, and sort of have a 'fernando torres' season at the end of next season we will find out how good they are, focusing on their latest season, firmino along with coutinho will settle in with a countryman beside him
fiddlesticks
Guest
Ummmm winning
Fadida
Guest
Agree Kaks
Kaks
Roar Guru
Liverpool have signed an unknown in Firmino, still lack goals upfront, their midfield is good - but not great - and their defence is average at best. Any of the City midfielders and Defenders (which you seem to believe are City's weakness) would easily walk into the Liverpool starting lineup. Plus they have Silva, Aguero (top goal scorer), Bony (who is a proven goal scorer) and still have Dzeko (also a proven goal scorer). Liverpool have no chance of getting any where near the top 4 with the squad they are likely to have for next season, especially considering how long it took their team to gel last season after all the players they bought - which is the same thing that will most likely occur with all the players they are looking to buy. I honestly think Tottenham have a better chance of having a shot at the top four - even though it is highly unlikely - than Liverpool do. They have a young, hungry team which showed a lot of promise last season. They have a good balance of technique, speed, skill and power. They have a defined spine in the team and they have quality leadership with the likes of Lloris and Vertonghen. They have gotten another year older and now have more experience which you would presume will make them a lot more composed as an outfit. If Tottenham can recruit a quality Striker to support Kane and a Left Back (or if Davies finds the form he had at Swansea before Tottenham purchased him) then they will be a stronger team than Liverpool.
144
Roar Guru
incorrect. Last season they conceded three more goals, but scored almost double that. this season they only managed to score 52 goals compared to 101 last season. and conceded 48 The defence has stayed much the same and to be honest it is not that great Compared to the top four and their goal difference is so much better. all the teams in the top four conceded less than 39 gols last season and scored more than 60. witha top striker and some fix up at the back liverpool can turn this around but their defence last season was not great
Fadida
Guest
The transfer window hasn't opened properly. City are seriously cashed up, and for that reason (alone really) are very attractive to top tier players. The sort of players Liverpool can't attract. Cannot see Liverpool getting close to City, or the top 4, unless they buy quality rather than quantity. And the quality doesn't want to go to a team who are no longer a big boy., and who don't pay top wages.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
The same way people were championing Lovren when he signed for Liverpool, which I thought was over the top, I similarly think the same people now rubbishing him might also be going over the top. There is no doubt he had an awful first season. But given the price the club paid, there is no doubt Rodgers will turn to him to make an impact at different points of the season, especially the Europa League. At that time, Lovren must be trusted by the manager to do the job, and give him the chance to rebuild his career at Anfield. At the same time, it's possible that Gomez, Wisdom and Ilori should also have the chance to assert their claims this season. Skrtel and Sakho will be the starting centre back pairing, but there has to be a reliable foil to go to if required. Toure is there, but he is now at the club I believe for a leadership role, rather than relied to regularly play.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
We don't know the makeup of City's side next season. With Kompany on the wane, Mangala unproven and Demichelis hardly a beacon of defensive strength, plus Yaya unsettled, the only City players to really fear these days are Zabaleta on the right, Silva behind Augero, which is their high point. Buying Sterling is kind of City buying a really nice painting for a house with a poor architectural structure - they are buying him more of his British quality than in the real belief he can displace Nasri or Silva. Arsenal begin to look stronger again, but there is the regular penchant for them to lose their way that Liverpool can exploit. Same with United, who in many ways eked fourth with a side that had many holes in it. Chelsea are without qualification stronger, and it will be tantamount to hell freezing if Liverpool finish above them. I'm not saying Liverpool will finish fourth. But even last season, where Liverpool had that strong run from January to March, it looked like they could have made a late push for fourth. And I think Liverpool will do better this season, even with the horror opening away run.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Geeez that is a brutal away schedule, we will know by Xmas if Rogers remains the gaffer. Ironic they start the season at Stoke after the disgraceful last outing there. Stoke are a real bogey team for Liverpool. I think the return of Flanagan will be a real boost at the back, the defence has the makings to be a solid unit provided Lovren doesn't play. He has been a bust so far. We just have to secure a proven striker, Sturridge can't get / stay on the field.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Vas I think they needed to move quickly in the market to soften the blow in what was a debacle of a finish to the season. It will be interesting to see how Brazilian, Firmino adapts to the EPL. The pool absolutely need to sign a good striker, we relied too much on the midfield for goals. Rogers needs to get off to a good start to the season or the wolves will be circling and Klopp will be linked again. Hopefully Milner will bring some leadership and spine which is really lacking in the squad. Looking forward to the game at Suncorp Stadium.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
The defensive incapability has been a factor since Carragher retired - and was there was when Liverpool nearly won the title two seasons back. In actual fact, the defence slightly improved last season as compared to the title challenge last season (if you look past the Britannia result - I try to at every count :) )
Kaks
Roar Guru
"The drop in four places can be boiled down to two factors – the sale of Suarez and the loss of Sturridge to injury." Three factors, you forgot to mention their defensive incapability.
Kaks
Roar Guru
I certainly dont see Liverpool overtaking any of the current top 4. Who do you believe they can displace?
144
Roar Guru
i think Liverpool could surprise a few, 4th position is a possibility in my opinion
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
It's amazing how poor a season Liverpool had last year and still finished sixth. The drop in four places can be boiled down to two factors - the sale of Suarez and the loss of Sturridge to injury. I suspect the critical component to Rodgers' success as LFC manager will be to have players who can find the goal, and the signing of Firmino, the predicted signing of Bacca, plus getting Ings is a way to address this, plus also hoping for a return to fitness for Sturridge. Combine those with Coutinho, who was the club's best last season, and Lallana, who was good when on the park, and I think the club can get goals, even with the impending loss of Sterling. No question that Brendan Rodgers future may well be decided by his start, given the horror away run to begin with. If he doesn't pass the test, then it may be then that Klopp becomes available and ready to step in. Otherwise, if he does, then Rodgers could very well catapult LFC to a top four spot given the much easier 2016 component to the season. LFC are an unknown quantity, and to say they will be weaker than all the other clubs betray the fact that very few people expected the club to do so well two seasons ago. While Suarez was a big part of that, the club previously showed the ability to regrow following Torres leaving. I think the players there can do the job, the only question is if Rodgers is the manager to do it. Much will be learned by November 14 once the run of Stoke away, United away, Everton away, Chelsea away, Arsenal away, Spurs away and City away is done.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Liverpool did qualify for the Europa League. The top 4 for next season is already set in stone and we dont even know who has bought who. Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Man United will be 1 -> 4 in no particular order. Liverpool will be no higher than 5th position and that depends on who Tottenham recruit and how their young team ends up going in the new season. Only thing Liverpool can hope for is a domestic cup or to have a proper crack at the Europa League
fadida
Guest
To get from 6th to 4th requires either better players or a better manager. The manager is unchanged. The players bought are all top half premier quality/potential but none are top 4 players. Firmino may be but he's untried in this environment. Milner is a great utility but not a top 4 starter or game changer. Clyne is good, however the defence is still flimsy. Ings is OK, but good enough? Origi untested. The young guy from Charlton untried at this level. Potentially the team may improve but there are a hell of a lot of unknowns. The keeper is still a weakness, Sturrrige made of glass.I still can't see goals here. It is reminiscent of last year, buying bulk over quality.