Liverpool: Were Rodgers' transfer dealings a hit or a miss?

Disheartening. That is all I can say after the end of the summer transfer deadline day. Liverpool frantically spent the day searching for an attacker to complete their squad. After loaning Andy Carroll to West Ham, Brendan Rodgers had 24 hours to find cover for the front line.

Targets included Theo Walcott, Clint Dempsey, Daniel Sturridge, Yossi Benayoun, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. At the end of the day, Rodgers was able to secure the services of no one.

And although that leaves the squad precariously thin for a team competing in the Europa League, as well as the cups and league ties, the deadline day was just the last date of a summer occupied of transfers for Liverpool.

Whilst Rodgers has said that it will take a few windows to get the squad he wants. There has already been a lot of activity in Merseyside.

Due to Liverpool’s financial situation, players needed to be sold before anyone could arrive. Luckily, the most important departures at Liverpool may have involved players that weren’t sold. There has been significant speculation that any of Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez could be leaving. Luckily, Rodgers has been able to hold onto these key players.

With the hard truth being that Liverpool didn’t have much funds to spend this summer; it was a painful reality that some fan favourites would have to leave to lower the club’s wages, while being able to recoup some transfer fees as well.

Not every player that left will be missed though and Rodgers has been honest conveying playing time will be hard to come by for some squad players.

So I wish all of these players the best with the rest of their careers.

Here is a recap of the departures from LFC:

Maxi Rodriguez (Undisclosed, Newell’s Old Boys)

Many Liverpool fans, myself included, wished Maxi had more time on the field last season. He seemed to always find a goal and his tendency for some slick pass and move play was pleasing for a side that hoofed it to Big Andy frequently.

Maxi could be envisioned as being a player Brendan Rodgers would find useful; being able to provide depth, and quality up front. But alas, the player returned to his boyhood club back in Argentina.

Dirk Kuyt (£2m, Fenerbahçe)

Dirk Kuyt has been a fans' favourite for some time now. He has always endeared himself to the crowd by being a willing runner. Always competing to the point of exhaustion; he left everything on the pitch.

A player that gave Liverpool many memories; his Man United treble will always bring a smile. However, he did not have the greatest season. And his skills and pace may be on the wane. A tough decision, but correct, to let him continue playing elsewhere.

Liverpool have parted ways with Kuyt, but he will always remain a fans' favourite.

Alberto Aquilani (£8m, Fiorentina)

Yet another player many thought Rodgers could get the best out of. After one season full of injuries at Anfield and two more seasons spent away on loan in Italy, the player that arrived with many expectations for £20m has left for a modest fee.

His skill set, and Rodgers' system, meant many wanted him to stay. But his 120k a week wages were too much for the club. And they had to offload him in their continued efforts to restructure the wage bill.

Andy Carroll (loan, West Ham United)

While it is disappointing that a player who cost £35m is being loaned away one season after his arrival, it is not surprising. Rodgers has been honest about Carroll’s playtime this year, and has said that the club cannot have a £35m “cover” striker.

Pundits have suggested that Carroll would have been great to keep as a plan B, to be introduced in games in which Rodgers’ pass and move possession football failed to break down a defence. But Rodgers considered freeing up his 80k a week wages more important than keeping the player as a plan B.

West Ham have an option to buy Carroll outright next summer.

Craig Bellamy (Undisclosed, Cardiff City)

One of Liverpool’s best performers last year. It is a shame he was not able to showcase his talent more often due to persistent knee injuries. Bellamy would have excelled out wide this season in Rodgers’ system. Bringing pace, goals, and skill.

He has returned to his boyhood club in an attempt to return them to the Premier League. 

Charlie Adam (£4m, Stoke City)

The poster boy for bad transfer business done by Liverpool in the past 18 months. Bought from Blackpool for £9m after his successful maiden season in the Premier League.

He was out of his depth at Liverpool. Didn’t have enough quality. Always wanted to play the Hollywood ball instead of keeping possession. Always looked out of fitness, and absolutely terrible when tackling or covering defensively. Was usually a liability when on the field. Very glad to see him leave the club.

I do think that a move to Stoke might see him regain his form. And I wish him the best.

With this mass exodus of players, Liverpool better hope they spent transfer funds wisely on new recruits. If Rodgers finds that he didn’t bet on the right players, his stay at Anfield may be a short one.  

Here is a recap of the arrivals at LFC:

Nuri Sahin (Real Madrid, loan)

Rodgers was able to land to the player through his relationship with Jose Mourinho. With a loan being a clever way of obtaining a top-four quality player, without being in the top-four; could be a real coup.

Keep in mind he was the player of the year in Germany before his transfer to Madrid, he has massive potential and will fit right into Rodgers’ possession system.

Unfortunately due to Lucas’ injury he will be forced straight into the side. 

Joe Allen (Swansea, £15m)

Allen followed Rodgers from Swansea and already has seemed to win the Kop over. He plays calm football and always seems to pass it to a teammate. Great at keeping possession. Promises to be a star in time. Very pleased with this transfer.

Fabio Borini (Roma, £10m)

Another player that has decided to join Liverpool with the opportunity to work with Rodgers again. After one year in Italy spent with Roma, the 21-year-old has come back to England. A player with potential. He made Italy’s Euro squad.

Oussama Assaidi (Heerenveen, £3m)

A relatively unknown player, but his solid wide play has earned him a transfer to Liverpool. Loves to directly attack defenders with pace and close control. Seems to be a typical Rodgers' wide man.

If he plays anything like Dyer or Sinclair, then supporters with be pleased.

Samed Yesil (Bayer Leverkusen, £1m)

A promising youth player signed from Sami Hyypia’s Bayer Leverkusen. Has a very impressive goal scoring record of 19 goals in 21 starts for the German U-17 team.

He has already hinted that he will stay with the youth team for a few years before breaking into the senior team.

The relatively small number of arrivals means that Liverpool’s squad may be stretched thin across all competitions this season. Hopefully the new players and a handful of promoted youth talent have the quality to make this a successful campaign.

Article by Dave Disciascio

Calling all Liverpool fans: Do you agree with Dave's analysis? Has Rodgers done well in the transfer window? Are you surprised the Reds failed to seal Clint Dempsey's signature? Would you have like to have seen another striker arrive? How would you assess the squad Rodgers has at his disposal now? Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.

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