During the Reds’ preseason tour of Australia, Brendan Rodgers was able to tick off some crucial checkboxes on his to-do list.
The sale of want-away star Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for an astronomical £49 million was followed by the signature of Christian Benteke for £32.5 million.
The Belgian will become the Reds’ seventh acquisition in what has been a roller-coast ride for Kopites globally. The capture of Hoffenheim attacker Roberto Firmino was a turning point that caused excitement and pandemonium, mostly, because many believed the Brazilian was not attainable, due to the lack of Champions League football on offer at Anfield this season.
The deal for Firmino also cooled some frustration surrounding the initial transfers of lowly English leaguers Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez. Even the annual Southampton shopping spree for Nathanial Clyne resulted in criticism of Fenway Sports Group (FNS)’s supposed transfer policy.
Liverpool fans can speculate on what Rodgers and the Liverpool back-room staff should and should not have done, but at the end of the day that is just pub conversation. Regardless of who the Reds acquire, fans should welcome any additions for better or worse. It is the Liverpool way and what segregates us from the cashed up Chelsea and Manchester United.
It has been a positive preseason results-wise for the Reds with three victories against the Thailand All Stars (TAS), Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United. Although these are effectively competitive training sessions, supporters were able to get a good insight into some of the new boys.
How do they do they all stack up and where does Benteke fit?
It is only right to start at the top with former Aston Villa midfielder James Milner who arrived at Anfield on a free transfer from the Etihad. First and foremost, this was good business. The Englishmen is a workhorse and a team player, the ideal role model for any aspiring Liverpudlian.
That sounds excellent in theory, and it has been replicated on the pitch with some quality debut performances. Versus TAS, Milner, at times, outshone Liverpool’s newly appointed captain Jordan Henderson, although he could do nothing about that rabona, and in Australia, he saved the side from a resilient Brisbane and was one of the best on the field in Adelaide.
There is still some uncertainty about where the British utility will feature for Liverpool, however Rodgers has played him in the engine room alongside Henderson predominately, and we all know what an impossible job that is given who played there prior, but there is no doubt Milner will only get better for the Reds and provide unquestionable experience for the brigade of youth.
In the quiet city of Burnley, Liverpool landed the party-starter Danny Ings, who scored 11 goals for the Lancashire club and attracted the interest of Chelsea, United and Tottenham, which the Reds surprisingly managed to fend off.
Straight away, you could see the desire to impress in everything Ings did, chasing every lost cause and constantly pressuring the opposition. The goal he scored against Adelaide was deserved and a confidence boost ahead of the Premier League season’s commencement in August.
From a technical standpoint, Ings has shown a sharp touch and an equally astute dribble, and is gliding under the radar in comparison to the likes of Firmino and Benteke, who are yet to even pull the Liverpool jersey over their shoulders. Any pressure taken off a potential goalscorer for the Reds is beneficial – we all saw how that negatively affected Mario Balotelli.
Similarly stealthy is Divock Origi, who joined the cause after a prominent World Cup with Belgium, although some of that sneakiness evaporated after a strong performance against Thailand where he scored a debut goal.
That output was not paralleled in Brisbane, and Adelaide was a mixed bag which highlighted his tendency to switch off in attack. However, what has been ever-present is the Belgian’s fight to win back possession and almost bulldoze his way through defences. On numerous occasions Origi would win a scuffle and then immediately bundle his way past defenders, ideal for the physicality of English football.
Perhaps the most confusing capture of the seven signings is Bolton shot-stopper Bogdan. There is not much to add in terms of his on-field feats, it is just too early and there is not enough evidence to even give an early impression. What is noteworthy, however, is the fact it was another free transfer and the Hungarian is young in goalkeeper years at 27.
Gomez. Where to start? The most impressive transfer at this stage. Liverpool have delved into the Charlton Athletic watering hole previously, and fished out a talented youngster named Jonjo Shelvey. That reputation has not been tarnished by Gomez, who has displayed experience and class beyond his years, all be it early. The teenager will not just be playing second fiddle to Spaniard Alberto Moreno.
Southampton fans hate it and Liverpool fans are undecided, but Clyne is the newest addition from Hampshire following the additions of lacklustre duo Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, and the special glimpses of Adam Lallana. With the departure of Glen Johnson, right-back is a troublesome positon for Rodgers, and based on the statistics from last season, Clyne seemed like a safe bet.
But that is exactly how the 24-year-old did not look in Brisbane – tentative and hesitant to get on the front foot with the majority of his passing and play in general heading back to Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho. He turned it around in Adelaide, however, and provided a well weighted pass for Ings to score his debut goal. On paper, the former Saint works, but Clyne needs a moment similar to Moreno’s goal versus Spurs last season to fully dispose of his shell.
If you were to ask most Liverpool fans whether or not Firmino will be a good signing, then you are probably going to get an overwhelming ‘yes’. The idea of his partnership with Philippe Coutinho and his Luis Suarez-like aura create a euphoria.
Finally, the main course: Benteke. It is not a matter of whether he will be a worthy player for Liverpool, he has answered that numerous times in the form of goals at Anfield for Aston Villa. The question is more along the lines of: Will he fit at Anfield?
Rodgers dismissed Andy Carroll a couple years ago because the towering target man was essentially not the ‘Liverpool way’. Would it be a surprise if one says Benteke is only a foot shorter than Carroll? The Belgian will score goals – his strike record speaks for itself.
For Aston Villa, he scored 13 times last season, 10 the year before and 19 in his inaugural Premier League season. During that time, he has enjoyed the service of old-school styled wingers Stewart Downing and Ashely Young, a calibre Liverpool does not excel in.
As a link-up player, Benteke makes more sense. He is capable of dropping in between the lines and combining with the midfield, or being used as an outlet from deep, due to his size and ability to trap an aerial ball. Where it does not look seamless and cohesive in theory, is whether Benteke will take that chance and run into space or hurl himself at a tantalising forward pass, something that earnt Balotelli criticism.
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At the beginning of last season, Rodgers had a selection dilemma in the back line with the abundance of defenders Liverpool had available, especially at full-back. Now that scenario has flipped to the frontline, as the addition of Benteke means the Reds now have seven possible strike options and a catalogue of combinations.
Daniel Sturridge, Origi, Ings, Lambert, Balotelli, Fabio Borini, Benteke and Firmino are all adequate to play that role. This will be a big test of Rodgers’ man management skills and an insight into the players’ character. How will they fit into the Liverpool puzzle? How can Rodgers keep them all happy without the guarantee of regular football?
Chelsea had a lot of benched attackers last season, as did Real Madrid, and the majority remained. Unfortunately, Liverpool did not win the Premier League, nor have the same level of allure that the Spanish giants have to maintain a player’s happiness.
In the race for early dominance, the plaudits have to go to Gomez, Origi and Milner. This trio has surprised, excited and fulfilled the sales pitches their agents delivered to Rodgers and FSG. It is still very early days, and the Premier League will sort the pretenders from the contenders, which is why the likes of Clyne and Ings still are still a cause of optimism.
In terms of Firmino and Benteke, the former has huge expectations on his shoulders already, purely because he is South American and the previous couple of candidates from there have been and were exceptional. For the latter, it is a matter of proving to Liverpool fans he is capable of playing for a big football club. Many have tried and more have failed to transform that dream into a reality.
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Although he didn’t shine here in Aus, I think Clyne will be one of the signings of the season. Arguably the Premier Leagues best right back last season and he will keep getting better.
It will be interesting to see how Rodgers manages his forward line. Surely Balotelli, Borini and Lambert all have to leave… If anyone is willing to buy them.