Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Does Downing Signify the End of Liverpool's Signings?

With Liverpool agreeing on a fee with Aston Villa for the transfer of Stewart Downing, Liverpool are on the verge of securing their third signing of the summer.

Liverpool seemed to want Phil Jones earlier in the summer to help cover on defense, but since then, all three of Liverpool's signings have been offensive players. Could this mean that Liverpool only looked at Jones as a good prospect for the future and is content with the current defensive squad?

Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and John Flanagan are all great right backs, and the squad has Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Soto Kyrgiakos, Danny Wilson and Andre Wisdom (coming up from the academy) at center back.

Obviously, left back is Liverpool's weakest position, with only Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua and Jack Robinson as natural left backs. However, Aurelio is constantly injured, Insua is not quite fit for a full season and Robinson is not fully developed.

This past season, Johnson provided cover at left back for a large portion of the season, which allowed both Kelly and Flanagan to show they are ready to play with the first team. At first, it seemed like Johnson would be used as a right winger, while Kelly and Flanagan could split up right back and center back.

Liverpool then signed Jordan Henderson, who either plays in the center of midfield or on the right wing.  

With the plethora of center mids at Liverpool though, it looks like Henderson will play on the right. There is a chance that Johnson will play as a right winger and Henderson will be a backup, but it is difficult to imagine such a big signing not starting. For this reason, I would argue that Liverpool would be best served by playing Johnson at left back.

Liverpool also looked interested in signing a striker, but with Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Dirk Kuyt and David N'Gog all possibilities, I cannot imagine any other striker getting much playing time. Unless Liverpool can sell N'Gog, I believe it is extremely unlikely that they will buy another striker.

Downing could be the last player into the Liverpool squad this season (at least the first team). However, if Liverpool make it into the European Cup next season, then it will need depth, so it would be wise to purchase a few more players to cover some weaker areas (CB, LB, ST).

I believe the best move would be to wait and buy depth over the January and summer 2012 windows.