There's no doubt that the gap has been cut. The gulf of
over 20 points to last season's champions has been halved this
season, due in the most part to the addition of Fernando Torres and
the benefit of a full campaign from the almost unbreachable Javier
Mascherano.
But ManYoo and Chelsea will undoubtedly spend again this summer
(the former on a striker and the latter on flair) and Liverpool
will need to spend again simply to ensure that the gap does not
grow again. If they intend to actually compete for the title, they
will need to spend more.
We take a look at the current Liverpool squad and speculate
about the areas that need to be strengthened.
GOALKEEPER
Questions continue to be asked about Jose Reina - and particularly
his comfort under high balls - but this summer's goalkeeping
priority will be in providing competition for the Spaniard rather
than procuring a replacement. If his price continues to be
prohibitive and Scott Carson returns, that problem will be solved.
If not, someone other than Charles Itandje is needed to warn Reina
that he is not entirely untouchable.
RIGHT-BACK
The only thing regular about the right-back situation at Liverpool
this season has been the regularity of the switch between Steve
Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa. Rafa is clearly not convinced by either
- Jamie Carragher's inclusion at right-back in the big games tells
a very clear story - and neither would walk into another top four
side. Possible replacements are hardly two a penny (as the high
asking prices for Dani Alves and Jose Bosingwa suggest) but
Schalke's Brazilian right-back Rafinha and Borussia Dortmund's
Philipp Degen are names often mentioned in despatches.
LEFT-BACK
Rafa's ridiculously protracted chase of Gabriel Heinze last summer
suggests that he knew he needed cover on the left side of defence,
with John-Arne Riise, Fabiano Aurelio and an out-of-position Alvaro
Arbeloa his only options. When you consider that his rivals have
Patrice Evra, Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy in that position, you can
see how Liverpool's squad falls short. Riise will exit this summer
and he is likely to be replaced - don't be surprised if Wayne
Bridge finally leaves Chelsea for the lure of regular Champions
League footbal.
CENTRE-HALF
Injury to Daniel Agger left Liverpool woefully short in the centre
at the start of the season as anyone with eyes in their head could
see that Sami Hyypia was not an option to play a full season. Rafa
reacted - probably too late - in bringing in Martin Skrtel in
January, but that does mean that it's one area of the pitch which
need not worry the Reds chequebook this summer.
RIGHT MIDFIELD
The fact that Rafa has preferred an enthusiastic but limited Golden
Retriever on the right side of midfield in the latter half of the
season gives you an indication of the lack of faith he has in
either Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun, who sit firmly in the
box labelled 'decent Premier League player' along with the likes of
Darren Fletcher and Shaun Wright-Phillips. There are reasons these
players are substitutes for Big Four sides, but the difference is
that Liverpool have no better alternative to keep the average
players on the bench. This is where the big money should be spent
this summer, though talk of getting Roma's Mancini for just £4m
should see fans rubbing their hands together with glee. Fans may be
split on talk of David Bentley - a player capable of making the
step up or another 7/10 player?
LEFT MIDFIELD
Harry Kewell should finally shift his arse and his massive wages
out of Anfield this summer to leave Ryan Babel and Benayoun as the
only real options (assuming Riise's exit), with both playing out of
position. Babel could yet become the answer to that conundrum -
though he would prefer to play up front - but it's fair to say that
they are being linked with Gareth Barry for a reason, and it's not
because they fancy he will replace either Javier Mascherano or Xabi
Alonso in the middle. Mancini could also play on the left, but
Barry's steadiness (and versatility) could well appeal to Rafa. One
interesting little rumour nugget had Guillem Balague suggesting
that Liverpool would buy an England international midfielder and it
would be a 'surprise'. We could perhaps throw the name of Joe Cole
into the mix at this point...
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
It will be a surprise if this is where the money is spent this
summer as they boast quite a quartet in Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas
and Stevie Gerrard, with Damien Plessis capable of filling in where
necessary. The capture of Barry would obviously provide other
options - particularly if Alonso exits - while someone like Cole
could certainly play in the hole in the stead of Gerrard.
STRIKER
If Peter Crouch was pondering whether to exit Liverpool this
summer, his mind should have been made up by the fact that he was
still sat on the bench at the end of a Champions League semi-final
in which the Reds needed goals. He will have no shortage of options
if he decides to exit, but his replacement will be decided by
budget. A big budget and you're looking at Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a
smaller budget and you're maybe looking at Kenwyne Jones.
