Liverpool - Season preview 2014/15

                It was a successful 2013/14 campaign for Brendan Rodgers & co . Exceeded expectations and you can hardly argue against the perception of pulling over their weight . So close to glory yet they can only blame themselves for not completing the marathon as winners . A brief insight on what their objectives and probabilities of completing those objectives for the coming season .

Post Suarez Era

                The 80 million dollar question is how much of an impact Suarez’s departure will have on Liverpool . Will Liverpool will endure a similar “ RVP effect ” like Arsenal did ? maybe the right question to ask is were Liverpool as a team bigger than sum of its parts ? .

Luis Suarez

                Even in modern day football we see players constantly cover up systemic / psychological flaws within a side ,  with their individual brilliance. An RVP less Arsenal , Lille post Hazard even Spurs after Bale’s departure have struggled to cope up . Lille were the worst of the lot , Hazard literally carried them single handedly - his departure and Lille’s board investing heavily on development of infrastructure meant they were in complete shambles the next season . Arsenal brought in players who would eventually settle in,  but you can never hide away from the impact of losing such pivotal players  .

                Was Suarez the Hazard of Liverpool ? probably not . He was more so in 2012/13 season than he was in 13/14 , with the arrival Sturridge the team balance and the flag bearer of the side slightly shifted . So did Liverpool’s style of play - started to counter press more . As a team were very much "gegen pressing" side than "tiki taka" .  Rodgers tried various shapes , from a back three to 4312 diamond midfield to fit both his flag bearers . They were collectively working as a unit as the season went by they grew more in confidence and the results were there for everyone to be seen . Statistically Sturridge has been more decisive when Liverpool were trailing than Suarez . 

           

Via @basstunedRed

               Top 5 combo play in chance creation involves Suarez .  He equaled  Premier League record of 31 goals in a season , which was 30% of Liverpool’s goals last season and managed to assist 12 times – meaning he was involved in nearly 40 % of Liverpool’s goals last season  .  Liverpool were not a one man team – but Suarez had a phenomenal year . 

              Rodgers will be there on the sidelines - in a sense he is more important for Liverpool than anyone on their rooster . 

New Arrivals 

                Likes of Emre Can , Lazar Markovic , Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have already arrived . Loic Remy , Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno are the names constantly linked with .

Lazar Markovic

                Lazar Markovic ‘s move to premier league wouldn’t surprise many , another Partizan product . My favorite Partizan export is currently having pre-season with city . You have to be patient with him , there were times last season I thought “ Why Jorge Jesus is still persisting with him “ when he had a poor run of games , but he eventually made me eat my words . Benfica have been completely torn apart – Markovic , Oblak , Siquiera , Garay  , Andre Gomes already gone with Enzo Perez , Nico gaitan , Rodrigo are on the verge of a move . They were brilliant to watch last season . Markovic has the vision to pick a pass , which often gets overlooked by his dribbling skills . As he settles into Premier League I would love to see him more in central areas - which was not possible with Jorge Jesus 's 442 .

                Emre Can – physical defensive midfielder who can play anywhere in the midfield . If Liverpool are to continue with a 4141 or a 4312 diamond midfield ( like they did in the later part of last season ) they needed someone who is defensively solid – to be more useful in possession playing as the pivot and young ( understudy to Steven Gerrard ) . The player who ticks all those boxes – Matteo Kovacic . Unfortunately Inter closed the door for any move away from San siro for their most prized asset .  Can’s strength is his versatility – but surely can improve certain aspects of his game - passing and concentration levels for instance .

                Loic remy , Adam Lallana – there is a trend to Brendan Rodgers signings , from Borini to Loic Remy ( almost done )  Versatility . Those who watch PL don’t need any introduction to Loic Remy , Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert . Dejan Lovren will be a upgrade to Kolo Toure’s imminent departure and increase the squad depth  . Need a quality full back to complete the puzzle .

Champions league at Anfield 

                It is very clear what Brendan Rodgers is trying to build for next season , a versatile front 4 who can interchange positions constantly / press the opponents / work hard on and off the ball / break quickly . But does he have a player on the front axis to create chances ? answer is no . You can say Coutinho – in my opinion he just tries too much to make something happen , something he has to improve upon . Which is why Isco to Liverpool will make sense - may or maynot happen . Problem with having such a dynamic attacking quartet  is your game becomes one paced and when your pressing diminishes , your midfield gets overrun .

                We didn’t see that from Liverpool last season  – mostly due to the fact that they had time to physically prepare for game . With Champions League football back at Anfield the task for Brendan Rodgers is not only prepare them psychologically but also physically for a game every three days . Dortmund struggled to do that when they came back to Europe – got heavily criticized by the German Press for their Champions league performances . When they did get that right Bayern ran away with the domestic title .  Not saying Liverpool will suffer the same fate , Klopp had a relatively thinner squad ( than what Rodgers will have next season ) .

                That brings us to the next issue , how much changes can Rodgers make without disrupting the core ? Arsene Wenger talked about more than three first team signings can be unhealthy . Now that Liverpool  will be playing 50 odd games next season they certainly need the squad strength . It has to be more about quality than quantity – so far it has been that case . But now its Rodgers turn to incorporate them .

Objectives

                The main objective for the coming season should be to consolidate their position at top – a top four finish . Considering it’s a whole new challenge , possibly the toughest challenge aswell .  Manchester City have brought in Fernando and Mangala / Chelsea with Cesc Fabregas , Diego Costa and Luis / Arsenal with Alexis Sanchez and still in for some big names /  Manchester United with Louis van Gaal – the competition has got even more tougher .Along with a decent Champions League run , a top four finish should be considered successful . With so many young talents in the squad the aim must be to build a title challenging side in two to three seasons .