Liverpool: Five things Brendan Rodgers should do in pre-season

3. Assess Assaidi, Downing, Borini, Allen, Skrtel

Steward Downing has been linked to a move away from Anfield which might not be the worst thing for Liverpool if they get the right price but it seems like he has won some respect from Brendan Rodgers after appearing consistently in his own position in the last half of last season. He was able to contribute some key goals as well. However, there is still a need to push him and keep him on his heels.

Oussama Assaidi has been on the margins of the Liverpool side since his arrival and a lot has been spoken about the talent he possesses but he has not been handed a lot of game time. Brendan Rodgers’s favorite from Swansea, Joe Allen, has not had a dream-start at Anfield. Allen has lacked the vision that is required to construct an offensive move but he did well enough to handle distribution in defensive-midfield in the absence of Lucas.

Borini is returning from a successful stint with the U-21 Italy side where he scored goals in the semi-final and the final. He has been unfortunate in his career at Liverpool so far and hence he should be duly assessed.