Liverpool have a big summer ahead of them: despite over-achieving this season, and only missing out on winning the title after an agonising slip-up - quite literally - against Chelsea, and a frustrating draw against resurgent Crystal Palace some unthinkably have called Liverpool's second place finish a failure. Paul Merson - a man unafraid of bold statements that don't always trouble logic - likened the "capitulation" to Newcastle's spectacular implosion in 1995/96, which the Anfield side had a major hand in, and though that is a particularly ludicrous assessment, the fact that Brendan Rodgers came so close now changes the playing field for his side. Even if Liverpool's objectives next season are only to finish in the top four, since they came ahead of schedule this year, their achievements will be tempered by the fact that they almost won the league this season, and all pragmatism aside, any failure to replicate their title challenge again will be deemed a step back, fairly or otherwise. With that in mind, Rodgers needs to make sure that the club push on from this term, investing in the right players to make them a permanent fixture in the top four, as well as ensuring their return to the Champions League is more than a lucrative distraction. There are a number of areas of his side that need addressing, with the defence lacking the steel that title bids are traditionally built on - the Reds conceded 50 goals, just three less than Hull City, who finished in 16th and more than 6 of the teams who finished below them - and while the attacking threat of Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling has been phenomenal this year, there is always room for added depth. The side are also likely to see players leave, with Kolo Toure possibly too old now, the loan deals for Victor Moses and Aly Cissokho ending, and some fringe players who could do with moving on, whether temporarily or permanently. And while loan players like Fabio Borini, Oussama Assaidi and Pepe Reina will return to the club, they are probably not the impact players needed to turn an unexpected title challenge into long-term success. So who do Liverpool need to bring in?
