Liverpool FC: 5 Players Who Need to Shine Until May for Reds to Net Top 4 Spot

Just over the halfway point in the season, Liverpool find themselves in sixth position in the Premier League with a very real chance of finishing in the top four, thereby securing a place in the qualifiers of next season's Champions League—if they can gain a bit more consistency and a few players up their game significantly over the remainder of the campaign.

Here are five players Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool need to shine for the next four months for the Reds to have an improved chance of landing a top four spot.

At present, the Reds are just three points off fourth-placed Chelsea, meaning any kind of consistent run over four or five games would probably see the Reds leap-frog both the Blues and fifth-placed Arsenal, both of whom are having their own difficulties at different points this season.

Charlie Adam, Central Midfielder

After a pretty good start to his Anfield career, Charlie Adam's form has dropped off quite severely for Liverpool over the past month or two.

The last few matches have seen Adam either substituted for the return of Steven Gerrard or, against Oldham, left out entirely while the returning captain took his place on the field.

It may be that Adam is the one sacrificed from the starting 11 to make room for Gerrard in a central midfield role, but even then, it is hard to think at present that Gerrard will be able to continue on playing for the rest of the season, given his struggles during the past calender year, and at those times, Charlie Adam really needs to step up.

His passing range and vision should be making him a great asset to the Reds, but too often, he has not been clinical enough with his distribution at the big moments, while his set piece delivery has been rather hit and miss.

Followers of Adam and his previous club, Blackpool, last season will have noticed a trail off in his performances around the same time, which was largely attributed to media speculation about an impending transfer, but later in the season, Adam did pick his form back up again.

Liverpool fans will be hoping Adam can do the same this term, and perhaps an enforced rest will help in that regard if he is taken out of starting every league game at the moment.

Stewart Downing, Winger

To be honest, I expected much, much better from Stewart Downing this season.

No, he wasn't the perfect choice, and no, most fans weren't over the moon about his arrival.

But he does have his strengths and his plus points, and I fully expected him to make the most of them playing with better players and with a more attack-minded manager like Kenny Dalglish instructing him on how he was to play.

We know the stats already; they haven't been good.

But aside from that, Downing's all-round play hasn't been good enough. He hasn't been consistently aggressive enough in getting past his man and putting crosses in, which is what he is there for.

His shooting has been woeful. Yes, he has hit the post a couple of times, and against Oldham, opened his account for the club, but in general, he should finding the net much more often when cutting in from the right onto his left foot, rather than swiping hopefully at the ball and watching it sail into the Kop end crowd, or worse, trickle embarrassingly close to the corner flag.

Downing isn't the finished article, and maybe he doesn't have the raw ability to be a true giant of the attacking world, but he does have quality and the physical prowess to make the most of that ability—but we're not seeing enough of it on a regular basis at the moment.

Stewart Downing can have a huge impact on the Reds' season if he is at the top of his game. Liverpool need to help him get there, but Downing needs to put the work in and concentrate on every aspect of his game when he is on that pitch.

Andy Carroll, Forward

I may be blind and ridiculous, but I'm keeping the faith with big Andy myself.

For me, he's not being used in the right ways up until now, or he's not putting himself in the right places, or both.

His movement in the box needs a ton of hard work, just basic things like giving himself a yard of space with a little bit of thought, and of course, he needs to get a few goals in the league.

But I still think Carroll can get himself a decent figure this season if he starts to apply himself better and keeps the confidence in himself.

Carroll needs to start looking to receive the ball about five to 10  yards outside the penalty box and drive towards it; that is where he is most dangerous, and that is where he can have a real impact on the Reds' attack.

If he is paired with Craig Bellamy now with Luis Suarez suspended, let Bellamy make the run into the box. Carroll's never going to out-pace a defender over the last five yards, but drawing them towards him as he moves with the ball he can make things happen.

That blockbuster shot he has frightens defenders into backing off too much or coming out too early, and a little bit of awareness on Andy's part can help him choose whether then to lay it off, thread it through or shoot.

I'm still backing Carroll to reach a dozen for the season, which would be a reasonable return for the second half of the campaign.

One or two against Manchester City would be a good place to start.

Jamie Carragher, Central Defender

The centre of Liverpool's defence is currently occupied by Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, leaving stalwart Jamie Carragher on the sidelines.

There can be no great argument on the part of Bootle's finest for this, as Liverpool's defence is the second-best in the entire Premier League. It was first until Manchester City put three past the Reds recently.

However, at some point, Carragher is going to be called upon.

Agger has been a real rock at the back, and probably more than any other player in the squad, I hope that he above all can keep his level of play and fitness going for the entire season. The Dane makes Liverpool a better team; it is as simple as that.

Martin Skrtel, too, has been much improved.

But whether because of a Martin-meltdown in form as only Skrtel can, or because of an injury to Agger or even because of suspension to one of the two, Carra will be needed.

When he is, you can be sure Carragher won't let anybody down, but more than that, he will be needed to be absolutely at the top of his game to ensure the consistent solidity of Liverpool's defence, which will certainly be needed to claim a top four spot come the end of the season.

And Finally...a New Signing

That Liverpool will bring in somebody new in the current January transfer window is not just probable, it is necessary for the Reds to attain top four status.

Maybe even several somebodies.

Whoever comes in, they will be expected to have an immediate impact on first team performances and results.

Perhaps that is not always fair on the player in question, but that is how it is in the January window; you don't get time to adjust and settle in, merely continue to play on in the season.

A big new signing can lift everybody at the club and can have a real positive influence over the team if they hit the ground running, as well as introducing a new dynamic to the on-field play of the side which opponents maybe weren't expecting to face.

This can also be crucial in gaining enough points to aid a top four push.

Whoever Liverpool target this winter, they know they will have to hit the ground running—all the way until May.