This is the best news we could have at this stage.
Never mind this season. Even if we went on to win it it would have been euphoria from the start but natural progression is the best thing for the club at this stage. It means continuity and it means we will likely be in the CL going forward if Rodgers can continue any of the progress and project he has started to build.
We would have loved to have won it but considering our defending this year you could have said it would have been lucky if we did win it.
In the end Brendan Rodgers have taken us from being a team in 7th to likely a 2nd place finish depending on the result in the Newcastle game.
I think Caulker coming in to the defence could be great in that he is a bit of leader with a physical presence, another threat on the deadballs and he has worked with and succeded with Rodgers in the past if I am not mistaken.
I believe he was on loan from Spurs a while back.
That would allow us to use Kolo Toure as more of back up and retain the services and Skertel, Agger and Sakho with Illori waiting in the wings and getting another season on loan.
Kolo has CL experience and could make substitute and cup appearances and if we let sign another wing back (say Micha Richards) we would have cover in glen johnson on left back as well where I actually think he is better.
I talked in my post yesterday about Windom coming back and being crisis cover both at right back and centre back. Kelly could go on loan because he needs to play at this stage of his career.
I would prefer signing Ashley cole as well as he may come on a free and would offer more CL experience although he is not getting any better he is probably an improvement on what we have in the sqaud right now.
If we then go for one or two big names in midfield (mikitarian and mvila would be perfect) we can continue on our development. Borini and Suso coming back would add further depth but not threathen Suarez or Sturridge.
I would prefer us signing another top striker but see it as unlikely and suspect Rodgers budget is limited.
It would ensure Sterling, Coutinho, Henderson, Allen and sturridge playing time and ability to continue to learn and get better.
Allen should goals to his game (and needs to work on finishing). Henderson needs to continue progress from this year in all areas.
Coutiho needs to continue to work on his defensive understanding and tactical knowledge (see Crystal palace game specifically) although he has had fantastic games in that respect as well this year (remember Spurs and Arsenal wins earlier in the season). Sterling need to continue to add to the work he has done this year and continue to work on his finishing. His progress has been astounding and it is more about reproducing than anything.
He can add goals and assists to his game and likely will be over the 7 goals he had this season. I would offer him improved terms as he has proven he is worthy of more than the 30K he is making this season.
Should we not have the money to sign Mhikitarian or a significant offensive improvement I suggest going for a guy like Scott Sinclair who has had injury problems We could also retain a guy like Moses who has bags of potential but until he gets consistent playing time he is not going to get better and he will likely not get that.
He also have not taken his chances when he has been given full games this year like against Hull. Sweansea was maybe the one exception but he only showed flashes even in that game. For that reason I think there is a good chance we will send him back to Chelsea.
If you look at it from the standpoint that he has not really been given a proper chance... much like Babel a few years back... in terms of consistent games despite struggling, I think there is every opportunity to develop him and more crucially sign him cheap and let him go on loan considering the season he has had.
Anyway, interesting summer to come. I am sure Rodgers have gems up his sleeve but to me CL experience could be key in some of the players we sign. Therefore Ashley Cole would be ideal and perhaps one other star with CL experience and CL quality ( Benezema, M'vila or Mhikitarian would be fantastic but is highly unlikely).
Question marks include> will Illori come back, will Sebastian Coates be let go, will Martin Kelly be done at the club (I hope not), will Fabio Borini have another injury free season and be able to add something to this LFC side up front in terms of giving Suarez and Sturridge time to rest
YNWA,
Stian
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