Liverpool's Season Ahead: How Dalglish Will Incorporate Transfers into the Squad

The clouds seem to be clearing over Anfield on the evidence of the second half of last season and the frenetic transfer activity of the past five months. The signing of Luis Suarez has already proved to be a massive hit, with the $35 million man Andy Carrol also providing glimmers of his potential in the Manchester City rout.

The talents of Jordan Henderson will go on being questioned in Internet forums and households all over the world until he steps onto the pitch and actually justifies his price tag. It has to be remembered that it is not Henderson's individual talents alone that should be considered but his ability to gel with the Liverpool midfield and keep the ball ticking as well. It is this facet that made Maxi Rodriguez, an average player at first sight, make such an impact over the last few months.

The real masterstroke behind the present Liverpool transfer policy is that the incoming players, young as they are, can mould their game into the Liverpool way of pass-and-move, which would be difficult if you were to go buy, say, a Kaka who would walk into the team and play the Kaka way, so to speak. It is not Arsenal's transfer policy that is flawed, it is their style of play,the lack of finishing, and the inability to close out games. Hence there is no point pressing the panic button and screaming that Liverpool is developing into an Arsenal, as has been discussed in a few forums.

Much has been said about the crowding of Liverpool's midfield, but it is indeed true that there are a lot of teams in the Premier League that require different styles of play and it would serve the club's interests to buy good players as and when they get them. For example, a midfield of Gerrard, Henderson, Adam and Kuyt is not going to win games against Arsenal at the Emirates, while the presence of Lucas and hypothetically M'Vila might manage to nullify the attacking threat.

Similarly out-and-out wingers like Downing would probably struggle against Stoke at the Brittania because of lack of width of the pitch whereas Suarez, with his ability to cut infield and take a shot might stand a better chance. If there is money to be spent and good players to be bought, options are always good.

Juan Mata or Santi Cazorla would be a dream signing as a tinge of Spanish flavour is just what is needed with the style of play that Liverpool has adopted. Physical size should not matter in this style because the ball does not remain at the player's feet for more than seconds. A glance towards Eastlands will show you a certain David Silva. A man like Downing has a one-dimensional touch to him. His good assist numbers at Villa should be done to their tendency to get the ball and immediately look to the wings for Downing or Young because of the lack of quality in central midfield. That is not the case with Liverpool.

What the Merseyside club needs is someone who can make things happen, not just a guy who can run with the ball and put in a decent cross. If that was the case, Glen Johnson would be more than adequate.With a good left winger, Kuyt would be excellent on the right side, with his work rate and ability to cut inside, with the overlapping runs of Johnson or Kelly. Suarez would obviously do the second striker Tevez-role.

It has to be ensured that Carrol is not played just to justify his price-tag, like Abrahmovich has attempted with Torres, but when the need arises for his size and power. But being the premier league, this need will crop up more often than not so we should be seeing a lot of the Geordie monster next season.

At left back,Cissokho looks to be an excellent prospect, with both his attacking qualities as well as physical size. Gael Clichy looks to be on the wane for the past few seasons at the Emirates but is undoubtedly a talented player in his position.

Whatever happens next season, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Luis Suarez and Lucas will definitely start. For his amazing loyalty and work rate for the club, I wish i could say the same about Kuyt but competition for places is definitely on. Charlie Adam looks to be pure class with his set pieces, while Henderson is the quintessential English box-to-box midfielder. The defence looks pretty assured. All in all hopes are high for a great next season. May the trophies once again arrive at Anfield.