Liverpool: Winners and Losers at Anfield This Summer

The beginning of the season is almost upon us, and Liverpool is just one of 20 teams vying to be Premier League champions. 

Liverpool had one of the more media-exposed summers, with transfer rumors flying in from all over the place and new sponsorships to be had. 

Liverpool also saw the arrival and departure of players, with Kop hero Dirk Kuyt leaving along with Maxi Rodriguez, Craig Bellamy, Alberto Aquilani and Fabio Aurelio, and starlets Fabio Borini and Joe Allen now donning Red.

Let's take a look at some of the winners and losers of Liverpool's summer activity.  

WINNER: Warrior Sports

Well, technically this deal took place in the winter, but Warrior took over Liverpool's kit production in June and the new kits were unveiled this summer, so that's why it counts. 

Warrior and Liverpool signed a staggering six-year, £25 million-a-year partnership deal in January after the contract between the former kit-makers, Adidas, collapsed.

This is a huge step in the right direction for both parties, since Warrior, largely a hockey and lacrosse jersey retailer, will now have a more global brand and Liverpool stands to make a bunch of money.

However, Warrior will also make this list again because... 

LOSER: Warrior Sports

Oh, the humanity.

Warrior, c'mon. You could have done better than this. 

Not really feeling the tribal designs on the sleeves either. 

WINNER: Raheem Sterling

The future looks bright for Liverpool as Raheem Sterling put forth some impressive preseason performances, culminating in his first senior goal for Liverpool against Bayer Leverkusen in their last preseason friendly. 

While it's obvious that the youngster still needs time to acclimate to playing at the senior level, Sterling showed pace, vision and a football IQ that was well beyond his years. 

While he probably won't start many games this season, many fans will hope Brendan Rodgers will feature him prominently in his Premier League plans.  

LOSER: Charlie Adam

If Raheem Sterling had a great preseason, Charlie Adam conversely had a disappointing one. 

Despite his goal against Roma during preseason, Adam looked lost within Brendan Rodgers' new setup. 

Adam still played the unnecessary long ball up top; he still gave away possession cheaply in the middle of park and he failed to impress many of his critics. 

Adam is now thought to be transfer bait for Fulham for Clint Dempsey in order to bring the American to Anfield. 

It seems as if there is no place in Rodgers' starting XI for Adam; if he stays, he will most likely act as an impact sub, due to the arrival of Joe Allen. 

WINNERS: Fabio Borini and Joe Allen

I guess this slide makes Brendan Rodgers a winner too, since he got the men he wanted in the transfer window. 

Rodgers brought Borini in last month on a long-term deal in hopes of bolstering Liverpool's dreadful offense. So far, it looks as if Borini is up to the task, scoring his first Liverpool goal in front of the Anfield faithful in Liverpool's second leg tie against FC Gomel in the Europa League. 

Recently, Rodgers signed 22-year-old midfielder Joe Allen in an attempt to enhance Liverpool's midfield efficiency. Allen was one of the breakout midfielders in the Premier League last season for Swansea under Rodgers, and he now has the chance to prove himself on a bigger stage under higher expectations.

LOSER...WINNER?: Alberto Aquilani

Alberto Aquilani's nightmare stint with Liverpool ended earlier this month with the announcement that he would be leaving on a permanent transfer to Fiorentina.

Many feel like Aquaman would have been able to help out in midfield, since he had been so overlooked by Kenny Dalglish and Rafa Benitez before him, but after a series of mediocre preseason appearances, Brendan Rodgers decided that the Italian had no place in his plans. 

Aquilani could be looked at as either a winner or a loser. If given more of a chance, he could have proved that he could have been a valuable asset to the team. But now since he's moved on, he has the chance to rebuild his career back in his home country. 

You be the judge. 

What do you think? This is just a sampling of the goings-on at Anfield this summer; who were your biggest winners/losers of the summer? 

Cheers and YNWA!