Could these steps help us win more trophies?
It’s likely that Liverpool’s club hierarchy are already drawing up plans to ensure that our trophy cabinet doesn’t develop any more dust. We’re now out the FA Cup, and reaching the UEFA Champions League looks a difficult ask at present.
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For a club of our size and history, three years without a trophy is too long. Considering that that one prize in the last nine years is a League Cup is perhaps even more disappointing. But if last season taught us one thing, it is that the potential for something great is there. The difficult bit is getting across that line.
With that in mind, here are five things that may help to finally end the years of pain, and make sure the next time that a Wembley final or the Premier League title is within our grasp, we don’t let it go.
Keep Brendan Rodgers
It may not be the popular opinion right now, but – even if it was just for a season – Rodgers turned us back from mid-table disappointments into title contenders. He can do it again.
There has not been a feeling that any game – even yesterday’s – has been the game this project has been building up to, but it is an ongoing movement for continued success. If we stick with the Northern Irishman, we may see it come to fruition.
Add depth
At times, our squad have looked like one of the very best in the Premier League. However, injuries have decimated our chances of cementing a prolonged title push. The signings made last season, on the whole have not cut it, but the spine of a good team is already there.
Rodgers could perhaps look towards the cluster of young talent that is making the Championship one of the most exciting divisions in world football this year. The very best currently at that level may not be ready for a first-team place yet, but they will be more than adequate replacements should injuries play a part next season. Plus, they will cost much less.
Don’t be afraid of experience
In 2000, Gerard Houllier made the slightly worrying move of signing the 35-year-old Gary McAllister on a free transfer, after the midfielder had spent the previous four years with Coventry City. However, the Scottish international became an inspired signing, proving a key player in the cup treble of 2001, and scoring that incredible last-gasp free-kick in the Merseyside derby in the same year.
Experience can help the younger – perhaps more naïve – members of the squad feel that they have the ruthlessness within them to win trophies. The ideal candidate right now would arguably be Esteban Cambiasso, who is working wonders at Leicester and clearly has plenty of quality left in him.
Reform the SAS
It would be near on impossible to reform the original Liverpool SAS of Sturridge and Suarez, as the Uruguayan is doing such a good job at Barcelona and his value has probably increased even further. But, there is another player already at the club ready to step into the breach alongside Sturridge.
Raheem Sterling has looked at his best this season when playing up front. His pace and skill could make him the perfect second striker if his partner can keep himself fit. It’s clear that Sterling needs to improve his finishing, but he’s got all the potential in the world. If we just played him in his preferred position rather than at wing back, he might sign a new deal…
Cash in on the flops
If Dejan Lovren and Mario Balotelli have another season like this one, their respective values will plummet to the point where we may have to pay someone to take them off our hands. Neither player had a particularly spectacular record before they joined the club, so it may be safe to assume that it might not get much better. It is probably best to cut our losses now, and free up some much needed funds.