Liverpool may not have made a significant signing in the January transfer window, but there remains plenty of reasons to be optimistic for Reds fans for the remainder of the season.
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New contracts
In the coming weeks, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho are set to agree new contracts to stay at Anfield.
The pair are the most promising young players in the squad, and two of the most exciting talents in the Premier League, and Rodgers knows that he must build the team around them in order to succeed.
Coutinho’s new deal is thought to be close to resolution, with the Guardian reporting he will put pen to paper until 2020, and although Sterling’s deal talks have dragged out, Brendan Rodgers appears optimistic that something will be agreed soon.
“It’s all in hand with his representatives and the football club. Raheem is very happy here,” Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.
“He’s a young player who is playing at one of the greatest clubs in the world. He sees his long-term future here.
“He’s very happy with his progress he’s a real sponge for learning. He knows he’s in the right place to develop and be looked after. I’m sure it will be sorted very soon.”
Sturridge return
It’s not unreasonable to think that the season would be going a lot better for Liverpool had Daniel Sturridge been fit throughout.
After all, he contributed 21 goals to the team’s Premier League tally last term, with Luis Suarez scoring 31 times.
Without those two, it’s hardly surprising that we struggled for goals in the first half of the season – and yet we’re still close to the top four.
With Sturridge fit, we have perhaps the most dangerous finisher in the Premier League. So long as he avoids injury, we have a real opportunity to push up the table.
Loans out
Liverpool have made good use of the loan system this season.
Andre Wisdom has done very well at West Bromwich Albion, Jordon Ibe performed excellently at Derby County, and now Sheyi Ojo has joined Wigan Athletic.
Ibe will now join up with the first team squad for the second half of the season, and let’s hope that 17 year-old Ojo can show similar progress for next season.
Even if any of our loans don’t work out, at least it gives them the chance to shine ahead of the shop window.
No other exits
While Rickie Lambert was heavily linked with a transfer exit on deadline day, with Aston Villa keen according to the Guardian, Liverpool were right not to let him leave.
The 32 year-old may not ever be first choice at Anfield, but he represents a decent plan B should we need it, and is one of the few Reds strikers who have actually scored this season.
Selling him without replacing him would only weaken the squad – and the £5 million it might have saved us isn’t a big enough price to make a significant difference.