Liverpool Transfers: Why This Summer Window Will Be Different for the Reds

Signing players in the summer hasn't been particularly fruitful for the Reds over the past few seasons. In fact, four of the best players on show for the Reds in the season gone by—Daniel Agger, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge—were all signed during the January transfer window rather than the summer.

Even Martin Skrtel was signed in January and though he did not have the best of seasons, he was very consistent in the campaigns prior to the recently concluded one.

If Liverpool is seriously thinking about outdoing the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Everton to be among the top four teams next season, the aforementioned trend has to change. It is imperative that Brendan Rodgers, his scouts, the owners and Liverpool get it right this summer and sign some quality players that deliver instant impact just as Coutinho and Sturridge did.

Transfer business is never easy with multiple constraints crippling your fate, more so in the case of the present day Liverpool, which has little leverage in the various aspects relevant to this world. But there are a few things that one may want to consider before predicting another bad summer for the Reds.

Boost in Confidence

After a summer to forget, Rodgers had a very good January transfer window. Both Coutinho and Sturridge have come to the party, and even though they can’t be labelled as successes yet, there are signs of that being true, which is good.

Just to put Rodgers’ January transfer coups into context, the last time Liverpool arguably managed to sign two “successful” players in the same window was in early 2008, when the Reds acquired Skrtel and paid the fee for Javier Mascherano. Unfortunately, that too was in January.

Being successful in January will give Rodgers’ confidence a boost to be able to sign more quality on a consistent basis. Simultaneously, John Henry and FSG—owners of Liverpool Football Club—possibly have more faith in Rodgers with respect to spending the funds he is given after seeing the value for money of the duo acquired in January. This bodes well for the Reds, who may be looking to execute some healthy transfer business in the summer.   

A Season to the Good

Liverpool fans must not forget that Rodgers is still a very young manager.

Signs are definitely there to corroborate his progress; he is garnering more and more experience. We have seen how Rodgers has learned from his mistakes in the league campaign. I expect the same from Liverpool’s manager while he tries to master the transfer scenario. Whomever Rodgers signs this summer, he will probably not make the same mistakes that he did last season.

Same System

Rodgers has a definite vision without being hesitant to modify it to suit the league and his players. There was a lot of talk about tiki-taka when Rodgers first took over at Anfield. The style of play that the Reds employed in the second half was far from the conventional tiki-taka, but you could see how the players reveled in it. More players of a particular style will be signed to contribute more penetration, steel and vision to the same system.

I bring up this issue because it broke my heart to see Kenny Dalglish having to make signings to ensure that Liverpool’s record signing of Andy Carroll was a success at Anfield. Liverpool was playing some brilliant football 'till the dreaded summer came upon the Reds once again and lots of money was spent that ought to have been better utilized.

For all you know, Liverpool might have been in the Champions League last season, such was the form of Liverpool with Suarez, Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Raul Meireles running the show.

In Rodgers' case, a similar scene will most likely not occur.

The Suarez Saga

Many fans are annoyed about what all has transpired with Suarez being linked with a move away from Anfield at the beginning of June. As reported by the BBC, Suarez made questionable comments during a press conference that hinted at an exit. While it is not the best situation to be in, and the next few months will be uncertain for a lot of people including Rodgers, who has the responsibility of delivering good business, it must be said that is not the worst either.

What if Suarez were to emulate Torres and hand in a transfer request with only days remaining? I shouldn't have to remind fans about one of the worst decisions made in haste, possibly costing Liverpool two seasons—that could have been much more successful—and maybe even a lot of Champions League money.    

The current scenario most likely entails the Suarez saga getting decided sooner rather than later, which will give the manager time to decide on options.

Some Business Already

Liverpool has moved quickly to try to acquire the services of Iago Aspas and Kolo Toure for next season, to let its intentions be known. The Reds want to compete and these are good signs that they are, to their fans and to rivals.

Only time will tell whether such signings will make the impact desired of them but for the moment it seems like potential shrewd business.

More of the same please, Mr. Rodgers, more of the same.