Liverpool FC: Player-by-Player Guide to Their 2012-13 Premier League Squad

We are just a few days away from the start of yet another English Premier League campaign. The fans, as always, can't wait for the first few games to estimate what their team is capable of achieving through the course of the season.

The Liverpool team has seen quite a few changes over the last few months. There is a new manager in Brendan Rodgers, and exciting players like Fabio Borini and Joe Allen have also been brought in. The youngsters have also got chances to impress, and some of them will be expecting to be featured more during those performances.

Let us then get to one of the last previews for the season for Liverpool FC before we get down to business at the Hawthorns on the weekend. We are looking at the squad of the Reds, player-by-player. The squad is good, but will it really be sufficient enough to achieve Liverpool's ambitions for the season? Let us find out. 

Pepe Reina

Reina needs competition to get him firing like his old self again. While his play suits Rodgers’ tactics, he should not forget that he is primarily responsible for stopping shots and goals as a keeper.

Peter Gulacsi is a capable backup, and with Rodgers willing to take chances with the youth, Gulacsi could well be the nemesis that will get Reina to contribute top performances day in and day out.

Peter Gulacsi

Rodgers would like to get another keeper in if Jones and Doni depart. However, if Gulacsi can get his chance before that and prove himself, an extra keeper will not be needed.

I expect the 22-year-old to no longer be only a prospect or “one for the future." This is the season that he should get chances, and if he does, he will break into the first team.

Brad Jones

Brad Jones has been linked with a move away and will most likely play very little or no part in Brendan Rodger’s first season as Liverpool manager.

Releasing him would free space for Peter Gulacsi, who is a terrific prospect, and it is about time that he got some chances with the first team.

Alexander Doni

Like Jones, Doni is also likely to play for another team as the transfer window approaches its final dates. Doni hoped to challenge Reina as Liverpool’s No. 1 last season but was never allowed to prove himself, as Reina faltered.

Doni may see it better to go to a team where he will be assured of the No. 1 position.  

Danny Ward

He is the youngest of the goalkeepers in the squad and will primarily be one for the future. He will hope to have the kind of luck that Jones had when he started between the sticks in the FA Cup semifinal.

Only if that is the case will he represent the first team this season.

Daniel Agger

As a Liverpool fan, I would like Daniel Agger to remain a part of the Reds squad come September. There have been rumors linking the Dane away from Anfield, but there is no doubt that there is any other defender presently in the Liverpool roster that is more suited to the role that Rodgers wants people in that position to play.

If Agger stays, he will be a sure starter and will provide advances from the back too, in situations of desperation. 

Danny Wilson

Danny Wilson still needs more experience at the top level. Rodgers will try to provide that to him in the Carling Cup and Europa League, although others may stake a claim ahead of him.

He needs to raise his game if he wants to have a future with Liverpool. Potential keeps you at a club for only so long.

Glen Johnson

Johnson’s strike against FC Gomel revealed what can be expected of Liverpool’s full-backs and particularly Johnson, this season. Enrique also likes to strike it but is not as prolific with his right foot as much as Johnson is with his left, once they cut inside.

Liverpool must just hope that he remains fit because when he is, he has shown that he fires on all cylinders. He has been good for the last two seasons, but I bet that this will be his best in his whole career. 

Jose Enrique

The pass that Enrique threaded through to Raheem Sterling for his goal against Bayer Leverkusen was exquisite. Enrique had quite an understanding with Bellamy last season and started off well with Downing too.

The pair of Enrique and Johnson is a dangerous one and is as good as any in the league. The Spaniard will, however, need to improve his defending and more specifically decision-making. He must learn to kick the ball out rather than risk losing possession in dangerous areas of the pitch.

Sebastian Coates

The Uruguayan displayed an accomplished performance against Bayer Leverkusen, and with Martin Kelly also an option for centre-back, Rodgers will not have to scan the market for defenders.

Though Coates does not have speed, he is intelligent, and his positioning is his strength. He is aggressive in winning aerial balls and is a ball-playing defender that suits Rodgers’ style.    

Jamie Carragher

Carragher is getting old and has probably stepped into his last season as a Liverpool player. His experience is vital for the youngsters looking to make their careers as good defenders, but he has now become prone to mistakes, due to his legs getting old and slow.

Rodgers will try to utilize his experience as much as possible and ensure that he has a fitting last season, considering the great servant that he has been for the club.

Martin Kelly

Martin Kelly is strong, mobile and swift. He is a no nonsense defender and likes to get forward as a full-back. His crosses are delicious, and it will be surprising if he does not get a decent number of chances with the first team this season.

Glen Johnson will be the first choice right-back, but Kelly is also a talent that Rodgers would not want to go to waste for too long. Kelly can also play in the center of defense where he will be preferred to Carragher or maybe even Coates at times.

Conor Coady

Another young player that comes in the “potential” bracket, Conor Coady still has to learn a lot of his trade before being deployed in central midfield or defense. I am not sure whether Rodgers rates him, but the Liverpool fans certainly do. 

Martin Skrtel

Skrtel is a player who clears everything launched into the box. He is not the most skillful with the ball but still can do very well in finding teammates with his passing or making the occasional run into the opposition half like Agger.

He was arguably Liverpool’s best player last season and scored goals too. If Rodgers can get someone to hit deadly deliveries from corners, something Liverpool had plenty of last season, I am sure that we will see Skrtel score more frequently. 

Jon Flanagan

Jon Flanagan adds depth to the squad, but he will be better off going out on loan to gain more experience, as the spot for right-back is certainly at a premium at Liverpool these days.

He made a good start to his Liverpool career under Kenny Dalglish but faded away after making a few mistakes that affected his confidence. Jamie Carragher can be of immense help in this regard, as Carra was a right-back himself prior to becoming a very good central defender.

Andre Wisdom

Wisdom has potential but is not ready for the first team as of yet. It will be interesting to see if he actually gets chances, even in the Carling Cup. Rodgers will be intent on winning and has shown already that he will field strong competitive sides in matches that matter.

Jack Robinson

Rodgers has not been scouting any left-backs, at least none that the tabloids know of. With the preseason being used to blood youngsters, Rodgers has got a basic idea of the mettle of the Liverpool youth.

Expect Robinson to be one of the academy youngsters who gets more chances this season. Enrique needs competition at left-back, and Robinson has enough credibility to achieve that status.  

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool’s new look midfield has ingredients for the distant future in Lucas, Shelvey and Allen. Steven Gerrard, though, will always be Steven Gerrard for Liverpool. As he approaches some of his last years with the club, he will be hoping that he does not end his career without achieving League glory.

It may be a call too far for this season, but if someone can turn the game and shape the miracle it is Captain Gerrard. Turning the season around is a whole lot different, something Gerrard alone cannot do.

This season, he arguably has players around him that may just make it possible for them to make a push for champions. Plagued with injuries, Gerrard was nearly finished in the eyes of many till he returned and scored a hat trick against Everton. If he can stay fit, Liverpool can achieve a lot. He showed at the Euros that he still has a lot to offer.

Joe Cole

Joe Cole adds experience to the midfield. He had a decent season with Lille in 2011-12, but that does not mean that he will find it easy to get into the starting lineup of this Liverpool side. There are a lot of hungry youngsters ready to impress the Kop.

Cole has shown glimpses of his old magical self in the preseason. However, unless he reaches a level of consistency, Rodgers will always be reluctant to pick him. He adds depth to the squad, but only if he raises his game to the level that we know he can, will he add significant value to it.

Jordan Henderson

The advantage that Jordan Henderson has is that he already had an year to settle in with the players on the football pitch. There shall be no excuses this season, as Rodgers is willing to put him in his favored central role in midfield too.

Henderson, as seen in the past, can find a first time pass. With Borini, Suarez and Gerrard making runs into the box, he can exploit the space that opposition defenses may fail to cover up. He will not be first choice but can certainly improve his chances by performing in the Europa League and in the limited league chances that he gets. 

Stewart Downing

Stewart Downing may not have registered any goals or assists last season in the league for Liverpool, but I think that he can surely excel in Rodgers' new formation. Any sport is a great leveller, and if you truly believe that, then Downing may well all of a sudden start performing like a Liverpool player again.

I don't expect miracles from the England international, but he will certainly provide a good option for Rodgers throughout the season. He will be ahead of Joe Cole in the selection for the first team, and the confidence Rodgers is providing him with is already bearing fruit.

I expect Andy Carroll to fire this season. If that is true, Downing may well be the source from which Andy finds his ammunition.

Jay Spearing

Spearing had some days to remember when he was a part of the midfield with Lucas under Kenny Dalglish. Sadly, those days seem distant memories even though only one season has elapsed. Liverpool need cover for Lucas that Spearing can fulfill and did so last season with very average effects. Seeing Jonjo Shelvey’s overzealous tackling, Joe Allen has been brought in. Allen can tackle and intercept, and Spearing may have just become the third choice. 

Lucas

Voted player of the season for Liverpool by the fans in 2010-11, Lucas Leiva has come of age during the past few years. Even last season, when he was injured, he was on top of the tackling charts for a good period for Liverpool.

He lends solidity to the midfield, and his tenacity makes sure that the back four are not vulnerable. The full-backs can get forward in his presence and thus the team finds ample balance between attack and defense.

He will be a player to watch out for this season. Defensive midfielders can never be tipped for the ballon d'or, and I am not suggesting that Lucas be nominated. However, I do feel that he will be one of the best in his position this season.

Joe Allen

Joe Allen had phenomenal passing statistics with Swansea last season. I do not expect that to change by more than 5 percent either way. Allen is not a direct competitor for Lucas, but I see him playing the Brazilian’s role, in case of injury or suspension for Lucas.

Allen can find a pass and has pace to aid the midfield with too. The price paid was a bit too steep, but I feel that the fans will see that as money well spent after the first couple of months.

Suso

Suso would have got many more chances had Joe Allen not been brought in. Rodgers thought that he may not be able to rely on youngsters, and he needed depth.

The Spaniard is one of the gems of the academy at the moment and his displays in the under-19 European Championship were testament to that. Expect Suso to play in the Carling Cup and Europa League more often before he really starts pushing for inclusion in the league next season. 

Charlie Adam

With the arrival of Joe Allen, Charlie Adam’s days at Liverpool seem to be numbered. However, Liverpool also do not have a left-footed player in midfield and Adam gives them that balance.

Adam, at the moment, looks to be a surplus player with the options that Rodgers has in midfield. He will probably be sold at a loss to recoup some money and allow him to develop his career elsewhere, as it is clear that even Jonjo Shelvey will get more chances that the Scotsman.  

Jonjo Shelvey

Rodgers has hinted in the preseason and a couple of other matches that he sees a future for Jonjo Shelvey in the Liverpool red. Shelvey has shown that he can do whatever an attacking midfielder would be asked to do.

He does need to develop his defensive acumen, and Rodgers is making him work at that. Some of his tackles even made Rodgers tell him to calm down. Shelvey can make forward runs, find a pass and as Chelsea’s Ross Turnbull will tell you—he can shoot. He is another prospect that is very close to being a regular. The loan spell at Blackpool did wonders for him.

Jordan Ibe

Jordan Ibe might not feature very much in the league, but he can hope to get few chances off the bench in the Carling Cup and the Europa League. He is a very direct player and needs the coach to back him, and Rodgers does just that.

Dani Pacheco

Dani Pacheco has had a stop-start kind of career at Liverpool. To be frank, it has not really been in full flow as of yet. The talented Spaniard has yet to get a string of starts to give him confidence and a rhythm to perform with the first team.

Injuries have also hampered his growth but now is the time to grab his chances when Liverpool and its fans beckon for a new revolution. Pacheco was good at times in the preseason. He was creative yet wasteful in one game and created a goal for Charlie Adam an another.

Rodgers must have seen potential and may give him more chances to prove himself in the Europa League and Carling Cup fixtures. This may be the last chance that Pacheco gets to really go for glory or else he will eventually succumb to the obscurity that players like Neil Mellor and Salif Diao are all too familiar with.

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez will start most games, provided he keeps his discipline. He has shown good understanding with Fabio Borini, and the pair will be important if Liverpool are to achieve fourth and Champions League qualification. Expect Suarez to rack up plenty of goals and assists this season while trying not to lose his head in the midst of mass booing.

Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll has refused to join West Ham, the latest developments show, due to his passion and willingness to succeed at Liverpool. He may not be as mobile or swift as the other striking options at Rodgers’ disposal, but he is certainly showing capability, talent and an eagerness to adapt to the style.

He will not be Rodgers’ first choice, but if he can continue on his upward performing curve, the gaffer will have a welcome selection headache.  

Fabio Borini

Fabio Borini has not taken long to settle into the Liverpool setup. He has hit the ground running, and his experience under Rodgers in the past may have had a bearing. He has already scored a goal, and I expect him to score many more. He gives the side much needed movement for players like Steven Gerrard to pick out a pass. 

Raheem Sterling

After Sterling’s wonder goal against Bayer Leverkusen, he is likely to get more and more chances. It is interesting to note that Rodgers has not brought in any wingers as yet. The midfield and Joe Allen were a priority it seems.

Perhaps Rodgers rates Sterling. The perfect execution of skills required for Sterling's goal the other day may just have convinced Rodgers enough. Expect Sterling to be on the bench against West Brom come Saturday.

Nathan Eccleston

Nathan Eccleston has been disappointing. He is well behind the likes of Raheem Sterling, Suso or even Adam Morgan, for that matter, when it comes to staking a claim for selection. Expect him to get a few chances, at best, in the Carling Cup and the Europa League.

Conclusion

So, do Liverpool have a good enough squad to even challenge for fourth? I feel that the youngsters will have a huge role this season. If we take that uncertainty out of the equation, I still feel that Liverpool should get at least two good players in, better than what they already have, before the transfer window closes.

If they don't manage that, it will be down to the youngsters to get score some goals and steal points here and there. Steven Gerrard will certainly have to play a part along with Luis Suarez in order to keep the Reds within striking distance of fourth throughout the season.

The surprise packages may be Andy Carroll, Fabio Borini and Joe Allen. I expect Allen to do much of the same, but it is Borini and Carroll that I am most looking forward to. They will go head-to-head for that one position at the front. I expect it to be a classic competition, and if both raise their games, Liverpool may well finish fourth.

Carroll and Borini may well be deployed together, but not unless Carroll starts firing regularly. Finally, I will stick my neck out and predict (please excuse the bias) that if Carroll and Borini get 25 goals between them in the league, then Liverpool will finish third.

Further, and you might chuckle, if Rodgers can actually get in Nuri Sahin and Christian Tello (without losing any significant players) in for the whole season, Liverpool will be champions.