3. Improve The Squad
Alternatively Rodgers could improve the squad in a big way rather than just buying one or two world class players as I mentioned above. It's as clear day that Liverpool need a cover left back who can provide Enrique with adequate competition, at least two new centre backs with decent pace (to allow Rodgers to implement his high line which would cramp the play up in midfield and therefore allow Liverpool to regain possession much faster) and a decent defensive midfielder to keep Lucas on his toes. With those additions I think Liverpool would be well on the way to Champions League qualification, although it would be very difficult to acquire those four types of players with only a month of the transfer window to go - it'd be even harder to bed them all in and make them successful signings, we all know that some signings just don't work out. There are those who think Liverpool have themselves a decent starting XI. A defence of Mignolet, Johnson, Toure, Agger and Enrique is good. There is a fantastic shot-stopping and hungry goalkeeper, two pacey and offensive full backs and two experienced centre backs who read the game as well as anyone. Then there's the midfield of Gerrard, Lucas and either Allen/Henderson/Coutinho. In this middle segment the Reds have leadership in Gerrard, tenacity and strength in Lucas and skill, vision and mobility in Allen, Henderson and Coutinho. Add this to the signing of Luis Alberto to cover one of the three midfielders and Liverpool have an abundance of passing players. Then there are the three attacking positions. These three slots have any number of possibilities. On the left Liverpool could play Coutinho, Assaidi (should he stay), Ibe, Aspas or Henderson. That side gives you raw pace, hard workers and visionary attackers. On the right Rodgers could select Downing, Sterling or Sturridge. This side would then give the Reds even more pace, strength and power in Sturridge and the cover of Downing. Then up the centre of the sttacking trio the Reds have Sturridge, Borini and Aspas. Each has great movement and a good deal of pace. Sturridge, again, gives you pace and power, along with the delicate movements of Borini and Aspas Add to that the back up players who I haven't mentioned which includes the likes of Kelly, Wisdom, Coates and Skrtel and Liverpool have a squad which, if added to properly with the additions I have mentioned above, could be competitive.