5 Liverpool players who will play a key role next season

It is perhaps time when we must start accepting Liverpool as a mid-table side.

Ever since the exit of Rafael Benitez and the rise of Manchester City, Liverpool have consistently failed to make the Champions League places. The first season with Brendan Rodgers at the helm has seen the side lift its game significantly, but the difference is hardly visible on the table. It is visible in terms of the number of goals scored and the quality of performances against sides that are below them on the table. The irksome inconsistency against teams in the second half of the table has diminished if not disappeared. However, many key problems remain. Liverpool has fallen short against teams of the top four inspite of fighting performances. They defeated only Tottenham of the top 5 teams while earning fighting draws against City and Chelsea.

The reasons behind these lapses were clearly because of a poor defence and limited creativity in the midfield. Liverpool will have to shore up these areas of their game with potent signings in the summer transfer window as well as by working on the current squad. Liverpool have a number of players who can form a core group that will provide the team stability, but they also have a number of players whose ability is not clear. It cannot be said whether Stewart Downing, Joe Allen, Fabio Borini and Oussama Assaidi (and perhaps more players) have the ability to perform in a team that strives for a top 4 finish. We can only hope that Brendan Rodgers will make smart signings in the summer.

Brendan Rodgers has begun his signing spree in the right area – central defence. Liverpool have acquired the services of Manchester City surplus Kolo Toure to partially fill the gap left by the retirement of Jamie Carragher and are being continuously linked to Kyriakos Papadopoulos. Brendan Rodgers is also eyeing up players like Christian Eriksen and Dejan Lovren of Lyon.

But the current squad will have to bear a considerable burden next season and hence here is a list of 5 players who might play a key role in Liverpool’s Top 4 hopes next season:

1. Philippe Coutinho

The Brazilian prodigy bought from Inter Milan by Rodgers has been a spectacular signing so far. He has provided Liverpool that creative energy in the field that they had been lacking so far. It was a surprise to see how quickly the fledgling midfielder adapted to the physicality of the English game. His game is marked by incisive passing, deceiving his markers, swift turns and a visionary movement forward. He has dismantled teams from the second half of the table but it remains to be seen how he will cope once opposition managers put players on him and try to stifle him. In any case, he remains the brightest light for Liverpool in this squad.

2. Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing, the much-maligned signings from the Kenny Dalglish era, showed a minor redemption last season by fighting to win back their places. Whereas Stewart Downing appeared in almost all of Liverpool’s games in the last half of the season, Jordan Henderson worked hard to impress the manager and impressed when it mattered. Jordan Henderson is still guilty of losing balls in key positions but there are certain things that mark him out as being of potential. He is ambitious and looks for a forward pass or runs into critical areas. He scored goals for Liverpool in the second half of the season when they were being criticized for not producing enough goals outside of Luis Suarez. He is certainly not the next Steven Gerrard, but he can make a name for himself next season, given the opportunity.

3. Steven Gerrard

The midfield maestro remains a key figure at Liverpool after all these years. Questions about his fitness were rudely answered as Gerrard played all 90 minutes of the season except for the last couple of inconsequential games. He resumed his goal-scoring abilities and put in the penalties consistently. His strike against Manchester City to put Liverpool in the lead rolled back the years for some fans. There is no doubt that his game has matured over the years and he plays a deeper role in midfield, contributing through calculated long range passes rather than making breathtaking runs through the middle. However, his contribution for Liverpool as a player is perhaps more critical than ever, given the lack of skill around him. He is likely to get another creative midfielder in the team and that will hopefully lessen his burden a little.

4. Daniel Agger

In a season that saw Martin Skrtel dwindle in the Liverpool ranks because of his horrendous slips at critical moments, Daniel Agger kept his own. His defending certainly needs improvement but he makes a stunning impact in his involvement in forward-moving attacks. He has the ability to get a header in from set-pieces and play long balls, which have been helpful to the Anfield side’s cause.

5. Daniel Sturridge

Apart from his horrible celebrations, Daniel Sturridge has hardly put a foot wrong in his young Liverpool career. When he was signed for Liverpool, he expressed his aspiration of being a out and out forward and he has justified that aspiration. He scored heavily in the games he played for Liverpool and created a brilliant partnership with Luis Suarez. He has shown that he can take on defenders, slip through markers, pass, use his speed as well as set up goals for his partner. The news of his injury is one that will scare the Anfield faithful but he should be back for good by the time the season starts.

Special Mention: Luis Suarez.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool will be able to hold on to Luis Suarez as he receives attention from all corners. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City are all said to be interested. If he stays, he will miss Liverpool’s first six games. However, his ability is such that he can make up for that, given there are no more antics. Another season with 20+ goals will ensure that the Kop remembers him in a special way.