If there is one thing that can be learned by Liverpool's performances against Manchester City and Chelsea in recent weeks, it is that they are improving and they are a top side, but they're still not quite there in terms of title contention. The Merseyside team have grown in leaps and bounds recently and performances have evidently been improving, though they tend to fall short whenever facing the creme-de-la-creme in the Premier League, with the exception of the Manchester United and Tottenham wins earlier in the season. With the goals of Suarez, solid performances from the likes of Sakho and Sturridge, and the staggering improvements in Jordan Henderson, the future looks bright for Brendan Rodgers' side. However, the fact remains that Liverpool were top of the league on Christmas Day and have since dropped down four places to fifth. Needless to say, fans may have accepted fifth as a solid position at the start of the season, they have shown the potential to be in the title mix and successive losses have dampened their chances of doing just that. Their next few fixtures are favourable, though, with home matches against Hull and Aston Villa, and an away fixture at Stoke on the horizon before the big derby game at home to Everton. One problem that Liverpool tend to have is that although they have a fine starting eleven, their depth overall is lacking. Say Suarez and Sturridge were out, they would be left with Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto as their only available options in the final third. In other areas, Simon Mignolet has played well since signing in the summer and Liverpool's central midfield is the best it has been since the days of Mascherano and Alonso, with the likes of Lucas, Henderson and Gerrard at their disposal. On the wing, they lack both depth and world class talent - Coutinho has potential, Moses is a bit-part player and Sterling is more of an impact player and still has a way to go before reaching his potential. Their defence, albeit good on paper, still doesn't have a Carragher-esque figure, and that is one thing which shows when sloppy goals are conceded. Mamadou Sakho has the potential to be world class, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have put in fine performances in the past and Kolo Toure's first few games were promising, therefore it may just be an adjustment period. Summer signing Ilori also has tons of potential, and therefore a new centre back isn't necessary. Add to that Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique and Aly Cissokho at full back, and this shows that perhaps defensive additions aren't needed this transfer window. This article will look at seven players who Rodgers should look to bring in during the impending January transfer window in order to bolster the club's chances of making a run at the title in what has been dubbed the most open Premier League season in recent memory. Click "next" to start the slideshow.
