Biggest Issues Facing Liverpool in Final Month of 2015 Transfer Window

Things appear nice and rosy for Liverpool as they approach the start of the new Premier League season, having had a busy—and what must be deemed successful—2015 summer transfer window.

After the infuriating way the 2014-15 campaign played out—Liverpool all but giving up by the time they were humiliated 6-1 at Stoke City on the final day of the season to finish sixth—much work needed to be done.

Liverpool fans will largely feel satisfied with the summer’s work. The acquisitions of Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and last year's postponed arrival of Divock Origi will add some much-needed firepower to the Reds’ attack—certainly an upgrade on Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli.

Benteke, in particular, comes with a weight of expectation. By no fault of his own, there must be some justification for his £32.5 million price tag. His goal on his debut in pre-season certainly set the pulse racing.

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WATCH: Whilst everybody was focusing on the Community Shield, Christian Benteke did this... http://t.co/HptslQoZfq pic.twitter.com/4J6oIqDS7x

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 2, 2015"

Roberto Firmino should add some more flair to Liverpool’s midfield, whilst James Milner is the perfect antidote to life after Steven Gerrard.

Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan shore up the Reds’ defence and give Brendan Rodgers options and cover. All in all, a pleasing 2015 transfer window; however, some issues remain.

Left-back

With Alberto Moreno expected to be Rodgers’ first-choice left-back, Liverpool remain fairly thin in that area beyond the Spaniard.

By and large Moreno had a good first season at Anfield following his £12 million move from Sevilla last summer, but there were unfortunate lapses in concentration.

This was evident again during pre-season when Moreno’s moment of hesitation let in Jonathan Obika to equalise for Swindon Town during Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the League One side.

Whilst Gomez has impressed thoroughly at left-back during the summer preparations, and Rodgers has confirmed he has no plans to ship the former Charlton Athletic defender out on loan, as per LFCtour.com, to expect a high level of performance from the 18-year-old during his first season in the Premier League may be asking too much.

Matt King/Getty Images

Rodgers is keen to hand Gomez a chance, as he noted: "I’ve seen enough in this period; you judge young players, I always bring them in and over pre-season have a good idea of whether we’re going to keep them or not. “Seeing him, in particular close at hand and his personality – he’ll be staying, he’ll get games."

But it is asking a lot for a teenager with no Premier League experience to be the recognised understudy.

With Liverpool’s only other recognised left-back, Jose Enrique, expected to find a new club after a succession of injuries, Liverpool may look towards the transfer market to provide adequate competition and cover for Moreno.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Digne has been linked in recent weeks, as per Joe Short of the Daily Express, and the 22-year-old France international has enough experience behind him to be an exciting addition to Rodgers’ squad.

Goalkeeper

Simon Mignolet claimed redemption in the second half of last season for what was a truly horrendous opening 15 games of the Premier League campaign.

Lacking in concentration and making poor judgments, Mignolet was often name-checked in reasons for Liverpool’s poor form, and the Belgium international was eventually dropped for the Reds’ visit to Manchester United on December 14.

Mignolet’s time out of the side wasn’t long, but it was effective—the shot stopper was forced back into action when Brad Jones picked up a knock 15 minutes into Liverpool’s Boxing Day victory against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

From there Mignolet regained his confidence and form, going on to be an important part of Liverpool’s marginally improved second half of the season.

Jones has now left the club, with Bolton’s Bogdan coming in to replace the Australian as Mignolet’s understudy.

But there may be questions over Bogdan’s ability to provide adequate cover for Mignolet, particularly if Liverpool are to move on and challenge for Champions League places and trophies this year.

Liverpool ideally need a goalkeeper who will not only provide backup to Mignolet but also challenge him for his place.

Should Mignolet go through another period of poor form as he did in the first half of 2014-15, some may worry about Bogdan’s credentials to step up to the plate, with the transfer window shut until January.

All in all Liverpool will be pleased with their summer spending, and with a month left of the 2015 transfer window, and with the £49 million from the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, there’s still room to dip back into the market off the back of any issues that present themselves in the opening games.