Next up, we will look at one of the favourites for this season's Europa League, and the team now battling to reach the fourth Champions League spot. Last years Premiership runners up, have had a relatively poor season in comparison to last year, will need to get off to a good start in 2010 to salvage there season.
Let's look at their best 11:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano Aquilani
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Liverpool have probably the best goalkeeper in the Premiership so no need for improvement there.
In Defence, Martin Skrtel has taken 1 step forward and 2 steps back since his world class performances last season, while Jamie Carragher seems to be either out of form or no longer able to cut it in the big matches anymore, with Daniel Agger looking shakey, but being Liverpools best defender this season. So a smart buy would be to buy a centre back, but the real question is; are there funds available? For me Liverpool can improve in all area's of the defence, as
Insua is a good young talent, and the injury prone Aurelio isn't the best left back in the world, a player like Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock, Chivu from Inter Milan or
Maynor Figueroa from Wigan would offer a more solid option and an assured purchase. At right back Vice Captain, Jamie Carragher cannot "fill in" whenever Glen Johnson gets injured, so despite Liverpool owning one of the top three right backs in the Premeirship, he currently injured having sustained a knee injury that will keep him out untill March. Therefore the only real cover Liverpool have is the inexperienced youngster
Stephen Darby, who will probably have to show his worth in the next month, unless a Benitez can bring in a player on loan, with Manchester City's
Nedum Onuoha the latest to be linked.
In midfield, Liverpool have plenty of options; Lucas, Mascherano and Aquilani all need to earn there money, step up their performances, and add competition and dominance to that midfield area. This would allow for Captain Steven Gerrard the freedom he requires in order to showcase his brilliance from last season. Plus Aquilani NEEDS a run in the team, it's pathetic the way Benitez is trying to ease him into the Premiership, when youth players such as
Jay Spearing have had more playing time this campaign. Should Benitez manage to sign
Van Der Vaart on loan from Real Madrid than he would no doubt improve an quality to the middle of the park. Finally since Liverpool are in the market for loans, the immenent arrival of
Maxi Rodriguez is a smart move, either on a 6 month loan deal or £1.8million signing, would be slot it on the right and allow Dirk Kuyt to be used as a striker if needed.
Up front Liverpool have one of the deadliest forwards in Europe in Fernando Torres, and for me one of the best young strikers in the Premiership, the highly underrated and just as promising David N'gog. The addition of ex Man Utd legend
Ruud Van Nistlerooy would no doubt add quality and would be a perfect addition.
In: Ryan Shawcross, Manuel Figuaroa, Stephan Warnock, Maxi Rodriguez, Centre back, Rafael Van Der Vaart (loan), Ruud Van Nistlerooy (loan)
Out: Voronin to Dinamo Moscow (£1.8million), Babel to either Birmingham or Ajax, Lucas
Who do you think Liverpool should buy?? Comment below