Attacking midfielders and wingers
Jordon Ibe
Ibe is our only out and out direct, pacy winger now Raheem Sterling has been sold. For this reason, he’ll get chances when Rodgers feels the need to inject speed into the frontline – wide in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Individually, Ibe should aim to add the odd goal and assist to his impressive runs down the flank, as he has shown in pre-season. He faces an uphill task considering the talent in attacking midfield he’s competing with, but Ibe has the physicality and mentality to embrace the fight. If he’s to become a starter, he needs to prove his dribbles often result in end product.
Adam Lallana
Lallana has had a full pre-season and has the full support of his team-mates and managers who recognise the £25m signing’s progress stunted in 2014/15 because of injuries. This time around though, he’ll have no excuses. Due to his full pre-season, Lallana should be given a starting role at the beginning of the campaign, likely on the left of a 4-3-3. It’s key for Lallana to begin taking games by the horns as he did for Southampton, as he has the ability to consistently assist and score. A successful season for the England man will be based on whether he’s nailed down a specific position in the side and is not considered a handy utility midfielder by the end of it.
Coutinho
Coutinho needs to simply carry on from where he left off last season. At times, it was an utter joy to watch. If we’re giving him one target though, it’s to score more goals. He notched five in the Premier League, and with his barbaric talent, he should be aiming for double that in 2015/16.
Lazar Markovic
It’s going to be tough for Markovic to get game time this season after failing to impress in 2014/15. Its easy to forget that he’s only 21 because of his £20m price-tag, and we’d love to see the young Serbian impress on loan to a Premier League club.
Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian’s individual targets should not be set too high. Yes he cost plenty, yes he starts for Brazil and yes his performances in Germany indicate potential genius – but equally lauded players have arrived in England and simply failed to adapt. We want to see Roberto Firmino find his natural position in the side – preferably alongside Coutinho where he can link up with his international team-mate. In terms of goals and assists – it’d be nice to see him reach double figures in one of those tallies. If he reaches it in both then we’re onto a serious winner.
