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| Liverpool new boys; Milner left, Ings right |
Today, Liverpool FC have confirmed the signing of Danny Ings
on a free transfer, subject to compensation, a deal that follows another free
transfer signing, James Milner. Both will join the club on July 1st
when the summer transfer window opens.
In a summer where Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has to
get every signing absolutely right with no margin for error, it seems his first
two deals are fairly safe ones. Milner, a steady performer, who brings a wealth
of Premier League experience and Ings a pacey young player with potential in a
position that needs improving most, up front.
There have already been wholesale changes to the backroom
staff at the club as they look to change their fortunes following a rather drab
season that petered out with two embarrassing defeats to Crystal Palace, Steven
Gerrard’s Anfield fairwell, and Stoke. Rodgers’ two main right hand men Colin
Pascoe and Mike Marsh are the first of many (should we believe the media) to be
given the boot by the Liverpool hierarchy, but have remained faithful to Rodgers
himself, however I feel this is a final warning. A poor start to next season
could be curtains.
Another thing that is blindingly obvious is that Rodgers
needs help in the transfer market with recruitment and negotiation. Last summer
we paid premium prices for average players. £26m for Adam Lallana and £20m for
Lazar Markovic among others when in the same transfer market Toni Kroos, one of
the worlds most coveted midfielders who had just won the World Cup, was bought
by Real Madrid for between £20-25m. Unbelievable. Liverpool need to follow
models of clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Juventus who have spent a fraction
of the money Liverpool who spent in recent years but have had far more success.
Dejan Lovren, Lallana, Markovic and Mario Ballotelli were bought for around the
same money it cost Juventus to assemble their starting 11 in the Champions
League final on Saturday, £85m. When you
look as figures like this, it’s obvious where Liverpool are deficient. If other
clubs in Europe had Liverpool’s wealth, they would be challenging on all
fronts.
However, Milner and Ings do provide an improvement to the
squad with little money spent which in my mind is positive.
James Milner
With Liverpool facing their first season post Gerrard, it is
important to at least replace his experience and Premier League know how, as
replacing his ability will be almost impossible. Milner provides this without
commanding a fee, a safe option; he’s hardly an exciting signing or a player that
will get you off your seat, but a good one. I’d much rather him in the team
than Joe Allen or Lucas.
In his Man City
career he was an underrated player (who wouldn’t be next to David Silva and
Sergio Aguero) that grafted and did the leg work that allowed these players
among others to shine. A midfield with
Milner in allowed players such as Yaya Toure and David Silva more of a free
role to win matches, knowing that Milner would cover them. His work ethic for
the team was to be admired but was never fully appreciated by certain fans.
Many Man City fans would tell you how good he was, deceptively good technical
ability and a turn of pace to beat a man, who was a useful cog in the Man City
midfield. It comes as a surprise that they were willing for him to leave on a
free considering he made 51 appearances in all competitions last season, often
being preferred over Samir Nasri. This says something about his pedigree. Coaches
seem to love him, dependable, reliable and consistent, you know what you’re
getting with Milner which is why Rodgers went for him, he’s a fool proof
signing, almost certain to do well which is exactly what Liverpool need. It
says a lot about him that he’s willing to give up Champions League football for
a starting position and regular football. He should fit nicely into Liverpool’s
midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Emre Can, a player I want to see in
midfield next term.
Verdict: Good signing.
Danny Ings
Ings will arrive at Liverpool with less of a reputation than
Milner, however still a useful acquisition. It’s no secret that Liverpool’s
front line needs strengthening as Daniel Sturridge can’t seem to stay fit and
the other forwards not cutting the mustard. Ings fits the bill. Young, pacey
and a decent finisher, he has the ingredients to be a good player. He performed
well in a struggling Burnley side last season that were very lacklustre in
attack which wasn’t really Ings’ fault; they just lacked quality in all
departments. He still managed 11 goals, more than all of Liverpool’s strikers
last season combined, despite playing in a number 10 role, but I see him as a
number 9.
He’s a player with good technical ability consisting of an
excellent first touch and dribbling ability to beat defenders, a good strike
but can sometimes be wayward with his passing. The one thing I liked about him
most last season was the type of goals he scored; headers, tap ins, difficult
and accurate finishes, in the right place at the right time, all this in a team
that created very few opportunities for him.
My hopes are high for him. It
will be interesting to see how he fits in with Sturridge, providing he’s fit,
and Divock Origi another new signing. He may be deployed wide in his first
season but hopefully he’s played in the number 9 role from time to time.
Verdict: Decent signing.
Both Milner and Ings are useful and needed signings but if
they are the best players Liverpool buy this summer, they will look distinctly
average ones. Liverpool still need big players, a world class striker if we can
attract one, a new right back, goalkeeper, a winger to replace the want-away Raheem
Sterling.
Liverpool just need to be a little more astute with their
buys. There is plenty of talent available for reasonable money around Europe, something
Rodgers has failed to get to grips with in his time at Liverpool, apart from Phillipe
Coutinho and Sturridge who were bought relatively cheaply in January 2013.
I just hope there is more to come.
