Brendan Rodgers has warned Liverpool need an influx of ‘men’ this summer to ensure they leave behind the brittle displays that have compromised their season.
Liverpool boss Rodgers is satisfied that progress is being made in key areas, such as the squad’s physical and tactical work, but results and performances recently, most notably against West Bromwich Albion and Zenit St Petersburg, show mental deficiencies remain.
They should not have lost either of those games but failed after not turning the screw when they were on top; the concession of cheap goals is also becoming a cause for alarm, as Liverpool have conceded 54 times in 41 matches, with 13 of those being shipped in the last seven.
But if Rodgers is going to bring in the characters whom he believes will stiffen Liverpool’s spine — he would like a reunion with Swansea’s Ashley Williams — the current transfer policy of owners Fenway Sports Group of signing players aged 23 and under will need to be amended.
‘The biggest thing we need this summer is to bring in some men, some character that allows and supports the other men to see the games out,’ said Rodgers.
‘That is the biggest thing for me. Look at Jamie Carragher, he is our best defender, he is 35 but we are losing that character. ‘That has to be replaced. I also think there are other areas of the team that need improving. That is something we’ll talk about at the end of the season, when we identify where the improvements have to be made.
‘Personally I just want the best team, whether that is senior players, youth players or the best mixture. I always like to give young players hope but in order to do that they need experience alongside them.’
Since succeeding Kenny Dalglish, Rodgers has made four big signings — Joe Allen (£15million), Daniel Sturridge (£12m), Fabio Borini (£11m) and Philippe Coutinho (£8m) — but has also had to rely on youngsters like Raheem Sterling.
He is adamant that major surgery is not required on his squad but after digesting a replay of the Zenit defeat — Rodgers studied his iPad for the majority of Liverpool’s flight back from St Petersburg — he is certain of what needs to be done if Liverpool are to find consistency.
‘Daniel came in and you saw the difference it has made to the team,’ Rodgers continued. ‘Maybe if we have a few more of his capability in the group, it could set us up. But it is not wholesale changes. We have got players who have been doing well recently like Stewart Downing.
‘But in order for us to be up there consistently we need to improve in terms of our mentality. Technically we have shown we are very capable, tactically we have not been found wanting like in the two games against Arsenal and Man City. ‘The condition and intensity of their work is high so that only leaves you one thing — mentality. That is the area which needs to improve and to do that we need character. Unfortunately it is inherent, you cannot give people character.’
One possible solution when the window opens would be a reunion with Williams. The Wales international will lead Swansea out at Anfield tomorrow and Liverpool midfielder Allen feels he could step into the void that Carragher’s retirement will leave.
‘Ashley is someone I know really well,’ said Allen. ‘He has grown enormously as a player and he is captain of the national team as well. He has done a fantastic job for Swansea and he has been first class for Wales. He has got a lot of experience over the last few seasons at a high level. I’m sure he’d be pretty comfortable if he was to play at an even higher level.’ – Daily Mail