A Good Summer

It is pretty clear that Liverpool are not going to be spending the kind of money that they did last summer. Even if they don't break the bank there are plenty of good business that can be done. Here is a look at what I hope the squad will look like at the beginning of next season after they bring in a few signings. The most expensive signing would be a top striker, but Liverpool might decide against such a big investment and go with someone like Ings instead, which still wouldn't be the end of the world.

Clear out trouble

It is well known that Liverpool are looking to offload quite a large number of players during the summer due to too many poor performances this season. It looked as though Liverpool were looking to get rid of Brendan Rodgers and as many as a dozen players including: Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini, Sebastian Coates, Brad Jones, Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure, Raheem Sterling, Lazar Markovic, Joao Teixera, and maybe Lucas Leiva and Tiago Ilori. It appears that as the dust is beginning to settle that the owners are having a change of heart and are willing to give many of these players another chance. The most surprising that FSG are supposedly willing to give Rodgers another season despite an embarrassing campaign and having quality managers like Klopp and Ancelotti available to replace him. Another shock were contract renewals for Kolo Toure and Andre Wisdom. Rodgers has also made it clear that Liverpool don't plan on selling Raheem Sterling and expect him to see out his remaining 2 years of his contract. The last to mention was reported today when Balotelli's agent reiterated that his client will not be moving this summer.

The news that Balo will be staying (supposedly) another season is the most shocking since Liverpool are is such dire need of a proper replacement for Suarez and it is hard to see the owners sanctioning signing another expensive striker with big wage demands. It hasn't even been a week since the season ended and already it appears that it will be much harder for Liverpool to move unwanted players away. Players like Enrique, Alberto, Coates and Jones will likely find it hard to find permanent transfer suitors due to their lack of playing time recently. Most Liverpool fans were looking forget this season ever happened but now it appears as though fans will have to relive it as most of the under performers will be returning next season. This is not all bad though, it will definitely save a bit of face for the transfer committee by not getting rid of half of last summer's signings.

So how will the summer transfer plans be different now that we know that major changes in personnel won't be happening? For one don't expect a top striker to be signed. I expect Liverpool to get rid of Iago Aspas, Fabio Borini and/or Rickie Lambert. If they get rid of all of them then I could see them signing another striker of a similar caliber such as Danny Ings. The renewing of Andre Wisdom's contract and the fact that Javier Manquillo's 2 year loan spell hasn't been canceled is leading us to believe that Liverpool will not be signing a new right back as well. This is almost as worrying as not signing a new striker. Manquillo is average and Wisdom is not any better, though he might end up playing center back in a back three which might suit Wisdom better. With Gerrard leaving it is expected that Emre Can will be moving to his preferred position as a defending midfielder instead of center or right back. Despite this Gerrard leaves the midfield a bit shorthanded, especially in terms of top level experience. Lucas would be the one with the most experience but I think Can will edge him out for a place in the starting lineup which means that Henderson will have the most experience, which is a bit of a worry. Hopefully Liverpool end up signing James Milner on a free transfer to give the midfield some needed experience. Milner has mostly been employed as a winger but he has stated that he would prefer to play in a more central role like he did in his last year with Villa. The last thing worth mentioning is the potential departure of our top scorer and most promising young player Raheem Sterling. If Sterling is sold then I believe Liverpool will use most of the profits from his sale to get a replacement. I believe that this will be the area that Liverpool will improve on this summer. There are so many top wingers/attacking midfielders available that it will be easy to get another great one. My hope is a Sterling/Walcott swap but there are plenty others like Javier Pastore, Eduardo Salvio. James Milner, Alexandre Lacazette (yeah I know he is primarily a striker but he is fine in any attacking role), Denis Cheryshev, Andre Ayew, Arda Turan, Jeremy Menez, Pedro, Yannick Bolasie. That is not to mention all of the promising young wingers currently at the club including Adam Lallana, Jordan Ibe, Lazar Markovic, Jerome Sinclair, and Sheyi Ojo.

All of this is to say that the owners will probably not be making wholesale changes this summer. Its probably not the best thing to do, but this is the Liverpool we have to live with. Let's just hope that there are enough improvements made to the squad to make a difference, if only ever so slightly, so that we don't have to endure any painful season. #Klopp for Kop

Sterling silver

We were all hoping that Raheem Sterling would listen to the rest of the entire human population and accept a new contract at Liverpool. If recent reports are to be believed then we are all going to be disappointed because he is supposedly going to meet with Rodgers to ask to be sold this summer. Like many fans I would be sad to see Sterling leave but let's be honest, he hasn't exactly endeared himself to fans recently with things he's said in the media. Sterling leaving would be a blow to Liverpool's ego more than anything because I believe we have good cover in his position, and the fee for his transfer would be more than sufficient to bring in someone who could be ever better for us.

If Sterling is sold this summer he will command a fee probably between 30m-40m pounds. The owners would have undoubtedly put aside a considerable amount already as they need a new, top striker and strengthening in other areas, and they are going to be selling plenty of fringe players like Borini and Aspas as well. This money, added to Sterling's fee, will provide plenty of cash to sign some serious talent. So with this serious cash, who should Liverpool be looking to sign?

Sterling's replacement

Liverpool have quite a few wingers in their ranks already: Lallana, Markovic, Ibe, Sinclair and even Coutinho who can take Sterling's place in the starting lineup. That said I think Liverpool need to do better and there have been plenty of wingers linked with a move. Here are a few players that have been linked.

James Milner

The Manchester City midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool. Reports say that a lack of Champions League may be a hindrance for a move but I don't think it will effect his decision too much. Milner does not set the world alight but he still has been one of the most consistent players in the EPL over the past few years. He is hardworking and a true jack of all trades, able to play winger, center midfielder, fullback, wingback and has even played as striker occasionally for Manchester City. Liverpool have a very young squad, especially in the wing area, and so to have a seasoned veteran like Milner playing for us would be a huge positive. Add the fact that that he wouldn't cost a thing to sign and it seems like a no brainer.

Javier Pastore

The 25 year old Argentinian has enjoyed a good season at PSG after a somewhat indifferent first couple years in Paris. I have said this before but I believe that Pastore is one of the best players in the world, on his good days as he can be somewhat inconsistent but at others unplayable. I saw him play during a preseason friendly versus Chelsea almost three years ago and I thought he was the best on the pitch and probably the best I've ever seen play. He sets up his teammates in ways others would never envision and his ball control is unbelievable. The downside to his play is he is not the best at tracking back on defense. PSG are also not short in the wing area and so Pastore leaving wouldn't be the end of the world for them. He probably wouldn't be too expensive, probably between 15m-25m.

Andre Ayew

The young Ghanaian winger is out of contract at Marseilles at the end of the season and has said that he will probably be moving. Ayew has said that he is a big fan of the English Premier League and specifically Liverpool. Ayew has done a decent job for Marseilles and Ghana, having a good showing for his country at the World Cup. He would be an upgrade maybe for Sinclair, Ibe and maybe Markovic but to be honest, he's not a whole lot better than them. His signing would be free so it wouldn't be much of a risk to sign him. I think Ayew would be a good signing, but Liverpool can do better and is probably a plan B.

Denis Cheryshev

It has been a while since reports came out linking the young Russian with a move to Anfield. He has enjoyed a fruitful spell on loan at Villareal from Real Madrid but probably still has some developing to do before he can be considered a top player. I doubt that Real Madrid will be too worried about the Russian's possible transfer as they have so many top wingers like Ronaldo and Bale. He wouldn't cost too much, probably around the 15m pound range and would probably be another plan B, but it seems like Liverpool have had to sign all their plan B's recently.

Yannick Bolasie

It is probably just typical transfer speculation from the media that has linked the pacy Congonese winger with a move to Anfield. In recent years Liverpool have made a habit of signing players that have played exceptionally well against them like Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, and others. If that trend continues then it is likely that Liverpool will sign Bolasie as he tore them apart during Crystal Palace's game against Liverpool last weekend. His pace is electrifying and his play is anything but predictable, as the commentators said in the last match, even he doesn't know what he's going to do next. I expect Bolasie to sign a new deal with Palace this summer but you never know. He wouldn't be cheap either, probably in the 20m pound range. Liverpool fans definitely wouldn't be very excited about the signing of Bolasie, but he might be good at Liverpool, but we probably won't ever find out.

Steven's Farewell

I just watched Steven Gerrard's farewell speech following his last home game for Liverpool again and it really hit me. The reason I became a Liverpool fan was because of the 2005 Champions League Final, because Gerrard and co. showed heart as they fought their way back for the victory. As I became more familiar with Liverpool I realized how fortunate the club was to have a player like Steven Gerrard. He was a local lad who came through the ranks and now captained the team by example.

I've had some good influences in my life but to me Steven Gerrard was my true idol. I tried to play like him, live like him, even look like him. One of the best compliments I ever received was when I was in London in a JD Sports and my friends little brother said I looked just like Steven Gerrard, who was on a poster. Side note, I was told I look like Adam Lallana by my sister in law last week, another player I style after, another great compliment.

I am a Liverpool fan because of Steven Gerrard. I can't believe that he is leaving. I do not argue that he is making a mistake by leaving, I believe he has made the right decision, but it is still hard to accept. The era of the local lads, Gerrard and Carragher, has come to an end. Liverpool are now headed into uncharted territory and everyone will be asking, how will Liverpool cope?

There will only be one local lad in the first team squad next season, Jon Flanagan, who, due to injury has found himself on the periphery and may never feature heavily for the club. There are a few promising youngsters in the youth ranks from Liverpool like Jordan Rossiter but it will be a while before we may see any of them in the starting lineup. So the question is, will Liverpool be the same without a local heart in the dressing room? I certainly believe that it can, Liverpool just need to bring in the right kind of players.

Liverpool FC may not be as good as they once were but the passion is still there, especially in the fans. Rodgers and the owners need to ensure that the passion is not diminished by Gerrard's departure by signing players that realize how lucky they are to play in front of the Kop. A lack of Champions League will make things more difficult but it is certainly possible. I look at players like Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Martin Skrtel as players that love the club and will fight to the end for it. They were all signed when Liverpool could not offer Champions League football.

There are way too many players rumored with a move to Liverpool and it will only get crazier after the season ends and football reporters will have little else to write about other than transfer speculation. There are only a few positions that really need true strengthening during the off season, a right back would be nice but a top striker is a must as it appears that Sturridge may never be fit. A center midfielder may also be added with Gerrard departing but I do not believe that Liverpool need an out and out replacement as Emre Can can step into that role if a center back is signed (or a loaned player like Coates, Ilori or Wisdom is promoted). Brad Jones has said his goodbyes to fans and so it appears that Liverpool are in the market for a new goalkeeper, although probably an understudy to Mignolet due to the Beligan's much improved form this year.

I will waste may hours myself going on and on about transfer rumors this summer and praying to God that Liverpool will sign top players. One thing that I hope most of all is that these players are fans of Liverpool, that they would choose us over others (screw Depay), and that they realize that they have big shoes to fill next season. One thing is for sure, it will be different next season, and I can't wait to see what happens. In the meantime I will be catching a few MLS games with my local team Real Salt Lake, who will be entertaining Gerrard's new team, LA Galaxy, in July. I saw Gerrard play only once before in a friendly against Tottenham in Baltimore, and I can't wait to see him again.

New striker rumors

It appears that the rumors of Benteke becoming Liverpool's number one transfer target have passed, or at least put on hold for the time being. In the last week new rumors have emerged of Liverpool striker transfers. It appears as if Danny Ings is becoming closer to a move to Liverpool now that Burnley have been relegated.

The other most interesting rumor concerns Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a move to Anfield. This is a post to assess if Aubameyang would be a good signing for Liverpool, and if it is a plausible deal. The 25, soon 26 year old Gabonese striker has enjoyed a pretty successful second campaign in Germany, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. He has scored more than all of Liverpool's strikers combined this season and so would definitely bring much needed goals to the team.

Aubameyang is most known for his speed which is considerable. Speed and high pressing is a must for playing in Rodgers' system and Aubameyang certainly can fulfill those requirements. He is deadly on the break with great vision and finishing which is something Liverpool have lacked in a striker this season. In watching him he shows similar style to how Suarez plays, with creativity, speed and improvisation.

I have read reports saying that Aubameyang is a Klopp kind of player...which means if Klopp ends up becoming Liverpool's new manager then this deal becomes much more likely to happen. The fact that Aubameyang is being linked with Liverpool might be implying that Liverpool are trying to bring Dortmund players in because they are going to bring Klopp in too. This is unlikely and to be honest a deal for Aubemeyang seems far off, but still possible.

Summer Transfer Calendar

The season hasn't even ended and Reds fans have already suffered transfer heartache once again. Rodgers may deny that they were never interested in signing Depay, but the evidence is clear that he is just trying to save face. Liverpool fans are not buying it and so the owners will look to bring good news soon or else face further wrath from the fans. This will be another important summer for Liverpool, though to be honest I feel that only minor adjustments are needed this time around because I expect last summer's signings to perform better next time around after a season of getting used to their new club. Rodgers has stated that last summer it was about quantity, increasing the squad depth but that this time they will look for more quality and said they are looking for marquee signings. Here are my predictions for how Liverpool's summer will unfold.

Norberto Neto
I think that a back up goalkeeper will be the first signing of the season, though it probably won't be announced until mid to late May as negotiations with Fiorentina and other potential clubs will be ongoing as his contract winds down. He will probably be told that the starting lineup is his to claim, though in reality I don't see him overtaking Mignolet after his impressive form this year. Still a good piece of business as we clearly need to upgrade our back up goalkeeper from Brad Jones, who will probably leave this summer with Neto's arrival.

Asier Illaramendi
Liverpool will be losing Steven Gerrard this summer when his contract expires and joins LA Galaxy. Liverpool probably don't need to sign a replacement center midfielder as Emre Can should be playing there next season, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to sign another. Illaramendi hasn't ever really settled at Real Madrid since his move in 2013 and recently has been phased out even more as Sergio Ramos is playing in the midfield now. The young Spaniard will be pricey, probably 20m, but I believe Madrid would be willing to sell, though I expect Liverpool to haggle for weeks as they usually do. I expect this one to be completed just before the team ships out for the summer tour in Australia, mid June.

Christian Benteke
Signing the Belgian beast will be the marquee signing of the summer. While many fans will be calling out for strikers like Higuain or Cavani, I think Benteke might be even more of a success at Anfield, and significantly cheaper. That said he won't be cheap and will cost around 25-30m pounds as he has been Aston Villa's savior this season and in seasons past. The problem with Benteke is that he plays quite similarly to Balotelli, who didn't fit into Liverpool's style at all. The difference is that he is very good on the counter attack on the break, which was the signature of SAS last season. Plus Benteke is a menace to defenders and wins almost every ball in the air, plus a killer poacher of goals. There will be haggling of course but I think Liverpool will will willing to fork over the big bucks to sign Benteke because they need a quality striker to replace Daniel Sturridge.

Martin Montoya
I think that the potential signing of Barcelona right back Martin Montoya will be the transfer saga that keeps rambling on all summer but won't be completed until the last few weeks. Barcelona don't use the young Spaniard but they will be hesitant to let him leave because they are under a transfer embargo so they couldn't sign a replacement until January. This one will be frustrating but Liverpool will realize that Manquillo and Flanagan are not good enough and finally shovel out enough money to sign a great up and coming right back.

I don't expect Liverpool to go crazy and sign the world's best players. Lack of funds and Champions League (and our manager/transfer committee) will also hamper our transfer ambitions. I think something similar to these signings in this sort of way will end up happening, and if it does I for one would be quite pleased. A backup goalkeeper would be a great addition, yet not a total necessity. Same goes for another center midfielder like Illaramendi but he would certainly add quality to the team. Benteke would be the marquee signing which Liverpool fans will be skeptical of but one that I think would be fantastic in the end. A new right back is probably the second most important position that Liverpool need to strengthen and Montoya would be a great addition. Like I stated earlier I don't think a complete overhaul is needed but additions like these would certainly make a difference as Liverpool look get back into the Champions League next season.

This is the price Depay. How will Liverpool sign top players again?

Clint Dempsey, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Diego Costa, Mohamed Salah, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Alexis Sanchez, Victor Valdez. Liverpool have missed out on all of these players and more in the last three years. We were outbid by Spurs for Dempsey, Klopp convinced Mkhitaryan to join Dortmund instead, Costa moved to Chelsea a year after Liverpool tried to sign him, Salah chose to be a bench warmer for Chelsea, we didn't offer enough for Konoplyanka, Sanchez chose London over Liverpool and Valdez chose Man U over us.

Today it was announced that Liverpool missed out on another top target, 21 year old superstar winger, Memphis Depay to Manchester United. So what is the reason Liverpool are so bad at signing top targets? Brendan Rodgers.

Many fans will place blame on the transfer committee or more specifically chief executive Ian Ayre on our transfer woes. They might be right, but looking at the previously named players you can see that Liverpool are targeting the right players...at first. The problem is that they have failed to convince those players that Liverpool are the right club for them, and then have to settle for players like Assaidi, Markovic and Balotelli.

Liverpool, under Fenway Sports Group, have made a concentrated effort to reduce player wages the past few years. Fans may blame this stinginess with player wages as the reason for their failure to sign a higher caliber of player. I believe that this may be true to a point, but it is not the biggest reason.

Failure to be consistently competing in the Champions League has been perhaps the biggest hindrance to the transfer problem. Liverpool missed out on a fantastic opportunity last summer as Champions League and an obese transfer kitty (from the Suarez sale) were once again at Liverpool's disposal to bring in top targets, but still failed to do so. With no Champions League next season (bar an epic miracle happens) it will probably be even more difficult to attract big talents to Anfield.

So Liverpool must look at what they can change in the immediate future to buck this trend of mediocrity in the transfer market. The change that can make all the difference is the managerial seat. Players want to play for top managers, it is an obvious statement, but important to understand. Under Rafael Benitez Liverpool signed players like Torres, Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Reina, to name a few. Even under Dalglish, who had been out of the managerial game for years, was able to attract the likes of Carrol, Suarez and Henderson.

Now we look at Rodgers. When he was appointed Liverpool manager he had just had a surprisingly successful first season with Swansea in the Premier League. Rodgers' first signings were Borini and Allen (who he knew from his time with them at Swansea), Assaidi, and a loan move for Nuri Sahin. It is safe to say that all of those signings have not been successful for Liverpool. When Liverpool appointed Rodgers they began to implement a new transfer policy based on signing young talents with potential to grow into superstars. Rodgers hit the jackpot with the January signings of Sturridge and Coutinho but since then none of his young signings have been able to replicate such miraculous growth.

And then Liverpool entered into the era of missing out on players. I believe that it is Rodgers' reputation that is to blame for transfer failings.  It is clear that many Liverpool players do not respect Rodgers.When players have the choice to play for the likes of Wenger, Klopp, Mourinho,van Gaal or Rodgers, most players will choose the formers. And so this brings us to what Liverpool can do to solve this problem, they can bring in a manager of elite status, a manager who top players want to play for.

Liverpool should be doing all they can to bring in one of the top managers in the world this summer who in recent weeks made it be known that he is seeking employment elsewhere. Jurgen Klopp will certainly have many suitors this summer, but this is one transfer that I hope Liverpool can pull off, and by doing so will be able to pull off many top transfers in the future that previously would have escaped us.

An in-between and more probable 2015/16 starting 11

Liverpool are set to undergo more changes in personnel this summer, yet I expect a similar squad for next season.

Mignolet has turned things around this year and currently holds the clean sheet record in the EPL so I would not be opposed to him carrying on next season as number one. Manquillo started the season as the starting right back but lost out to wing backs and now Johnson. He is decent but still has a way to go, yet I think he will continue to improve. Plus good right backs are a dime a dozen these days. Skrtel will probably sign a new contract before the end of the season, yay. Let's hope that Sakho can stay fit next season as he has shown he can be a very decent center back this season. Moreno had a decent yet uneven first season at Liverpool. Like Manquillo he is still very young and will continue to get better. He will become one of the best left backs in the world one day.

Emre Can has become a starting center back since the switch back to three at the back, yet seeing him make forward runs it is clear that he is more useful in the midfield. With Gerrard leaving this summer and Lucas being injured on a frequent basis I would bet that Can will start more games. Henderson will most undoubtedly become the new Liverpool captain and he deserves it. He has come a long way and has become one of Liverpool's most consistent performers. Rounding off the midfield is Coutinho, who recently made it into the EPL's Best 11 for his performances this year. His numbers aren't awesome but he has become an awesome player. He can be somewhat inconsistent and less effective against tougher opposition or when teams park the bus, which is something he can hopefully improve on next season. Plus he needs to grow out his hair to how it was when he first arrived when he looked like a proper Brazilian.

The biggest changes will most likely happen in the attacking positions. Sturridge is injured for the long haul once again and every other striker isn't good enough. There have been some big names linked with a move to Liverpool but I think they will end up signing Benteke as one of their two marquee signings. He has impressed me immensely in recent weeks and his goals to games played ratio is crazy good this season. Forget the overpriced and over hyped strikers, sign Benteke up! Sterling will have one year left on his current contract and I expect him to stay even if he doesn't sign a new one this summer, that is unless Manchester City are desperate for English blood and fork out the big bucks. If so then there are plenty of other options including Lallana, Ibe and Markovic. Last of the attacking three will hopefully be Depay from PSV. There are a lot of clubs going after the young Dutch winger but Liverpool seem to be one of the top suitors for his signature. These changes up front are sure to bring many more goals for Liverpool than this season.