In Retrospect: Liverpool's Transfer Window Review

With 11 games gone and the season taking shape, we have now accumulated enough data to provide a fair and accurate verdict on Liverpool’s summer transfer dealings.

So without much ado, let’s begin:

Simon Mignolet

It is not an easy decision to get rid of a goal keeper of Pepe Reina’s caliber and then replace him with an up and comer but that is exactly what Brendan Rodgers did when he sent Reina on loan to Napoli in the summer and replaced him with Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet.

It is true that Reina hasn’t been at his peak for the past couple of seasons, but the decision taken by Liverpool’s management was risky and could have had negative implications.

Simon Mignolet was quick to prove the wisdom of Rodger’s decision.

The Belgian goal keeper saved a last gasp penalty on his Anfield debut to hand his new team a deserved three points against a resilient Stoke side. Mignolet then produced a series of impressive displays racking up three clean sheets in the first three games of the campaign.

What Mignolet adds to Liverpool’s defensive unit is excellent shot stopping ability, an attribute required from a side looking to dominate possession and force their opponents to attempts from distance.

Although, Liverpool’s new number 22 could only manage just one clean sheet since September 1st, he still has gone a long way to validate Rodgers decision of changing the man between the sticks at Anfield.

Rating: 8/10

Kolo Toure

With Jamie Carragher retiring, Brendan Rodgers identified a need for an experienced center back who could read the game properly and would add commanding vocal leadership at the back.

The answer came in the shape of Kolo Toure, available on free transfer after Manchester City refused to renew his contract.

The 32 year old, who struggled with long injury layoffs in recent seasons, started eight games for Liverpool so far this season with the Reds’ medical team playing a key role in keeping the Ivorian international fit and ready.

A passionate leader, Toure adds organization, commitment and inspiration to Liverpool’s defense and provides an excellent short term solution for Rodgers while Carragher’s long term replacement comes to prominence.

Rating: 7/10

Mamadou Sakho

A player labeled as “Marquee” by Ian Ayre, Mamadou Sakho certainly represents a coup for Liverpool’s recruiting department. Deemed surplus to requirements at PSG after the signing of Marquinhos, Liverpool pounced by bringing in the France international for 17 million pounds.

The 23 year old became a regular in the Liverpool starting eleven after Rodgers switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation pushing Daniel Agger out of the side.

Sakho’s physical prowess is there for all to see with the Frenchman boasting a domineering figure, good pace and balance. Liverpool’s new signing also demonstrated good touch and pass while striding forward.

It hasn’t been just a stroll for Sakho though, with the defender directly linked to his side’s two defeats this season. Sakho looked out of sorts when deployed in the left back position against Swansea during Liverpool’s defeat at Anfield – he also labored against Arsenal’s fluidity and could have done better on both goals that Liverpool conceded.

Although Liverpool are yet to keep a single clean sheet with Sakho in the side, the new number 17 has certainly shown enough promise for the future in what could be described as a decent start to his career with the Reds.

Rating: 6/10

Luis Alberto

When Liverpool signed Luis Alberto from Seville, the Anfield club targeted adding a young forward to the squad who possess good movement, accurate passing and delivery who could grow to become a crucial member of the first team in the near future.

Brendan Rodgers is slowly bedding the young Spaniard into the Liverpool first team squad with five substitute appearances under his belt this far.

Luis Alberto enjoyed an impressive cameo against Newcastle helping Liverpool dominate possession in midfield while demonstrating his varied passing range. The number six also showed his eye for goal by netting a hat-trick for the Liverpool Under-21's against Sunderland.

As Alberto gets to grips with the physical demands of the Premier League, the classy attacking midfielder should feature more with the season progressing.

Rating: 5/10

Iago Aspas

Aspas was one of Liverpool’s early signings during the summer transfer window with Rodgers interested in the forwards’ movement and hard work.

The Spaniard began the first three games of the campaign in the deep-lying forward role behind Daniel Sturridge and he certainly showed a lot of endeavor and commitment.

Aspas did struggle with the physical demands of the Premier League though and was easily pushed off the ball on several occasions. Liverpool’s number nine also seemed to drift out of the game frequently and failed to impose his will on proceedings as he could only muster 2 shots on target and just a single assist.

With Suarez returning from his prolonged ban, Aspas was ushered out of the starting 11 and before Aspas could work himself back into contention, he suffered a torn thigh muscle injury.

With only six games under his belt and considering the move to a new league and country, it would be unfair to brand this transfer as a flop. Brendan Rodgers has shown a ruthless side towards underperforming players and Iago Aspas certainly has to show considerable improvement during the remainder of the season to avoid the same fate of Fabio Borini and Nuri Sahin.

Rating: 4/10

Aly Cissokho

Brendan Rodgers looked to add fierce competition to Jose Enrique who struggled on occasions last season but with Liverpool lacking an adequate cover, the Reds boss was forced to stick with the Spanish left-back despite his loss of form.

Liverpool earmarked Brazilian Guilherme Siqueira as the player who would challenge Enrique for the left-back berth but with the club unable to conclude a deal with Granada, Liverpool moved for Valencia’s Aly Cissokho on loan.

The France international, has so far failed to trouble Enrique’s domination of the left-back position. In fact, Cissokho’s abject performances added a new dimension of appreciation from Liverpool’s fans to their number three.

Cissokho, a one-dimensional full back with an almost inexistent right foot, struggled immensely when deployed in left wing back position in Liverpool’s 3-4-1-2 formation and was culpable for his club’s defensive frailties against Arsenal. The Frenchman also failed to produce any impact when placed in his favorable left back spot.

Aly Cissokho, who joined late in the window, seems a stopgap until the club can finally sign adequate competition for Jose Enrique.

Rating: 4/10

Victor Moses

The Nigerian international, represents another last ditch attempt from the Liverpool hierarchy to cover for a failed transfer.

Since the start of the summer, Brendan Rodgers highlighted the need for an attacking midfielder with guile and creativity who is adept at playing on the flanks as well as between the lines. Liverpool’s primary target was Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Shakhtar Donetsk but the Armenian opted to join Champions League finalists Dortmund instead.

Liverpool then set their target on Willian and after agreeing a deal with Anzhi Makhachkala, the Merseysiders failed to agree terms with the player who eventually joined Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

With the clock ticking and the window heading to a close, Brendan Rodgers used his old connection to Chelsea and his friendship with Mourinho to bring in Victor Moses on transfer deadline day.

The Nigerian winger produced an instant impact after scoring on his full-debut away to Swansea. But sadly for Moses, that goal was his last telling contribution to the side.

Moses struggled after Rodgers switched formations to 3-4-1-2 as the 22 year old was tasked with playing the attacking midfield role behind Suarez and Sturridge. The unfamiliarity of the role was evident as Moses failed to find the space necessary between the lines and more crucially he could not provide his team with a single assist.

When Liverpool signed Moses on loan, Chelsea refused to negotiate the sale of the winger after the conclusion of the loan period – a blessing in disguise for Rodgers and co with the transfer having the vibe of another temporary solution for the Reds.

Rating: 4/10

Conclusion

Liverpool spent around 43 million pounds in luring the players mentioned above while also spending another seven million for Tiago Ilori from Sporting Lisbon who is yet to feature for the Reds this season.

Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure have been Liverpool’s best performers out of Anfield’s new comers while Mamadou Sakho and Luis Alberto seem to be good players who could play an important role with Liverpool’s first team during the current campaign. Meanwhile, the loanees are yet to show their worth of a full time contract with the Merseyside club.

In a recent interview, Brendan Rodgers summed-up Liverpool’s summer transfer activity by stating: “We've got a squad and we've got enough cover but in the future the focus is on bringing in players that can come straight in and improve our team”.

Absolutely!

If Liverpool are to continue their chase for a Champions League spot come the end of the season, then the club management should put in all effort during the winter transfer window to bring in players who would force their way into the starting 11 immediately.

Overall Transfer Rating: 6/10

Investigating Roma’s Early Season Success

It is not every day when we get to witness history, so when an event of historic proportions comes along one must take a deep breath and simply marvel at the magic of such a momentous occasion. 

When A.S. Roma beat Chievo Verona last Thursday, they became the first team in the 115 year history of the Italian League Championship to win the first ten games of the season. 

Roma’s perfect ten have turned a club expected to hover around mid-table into a global sensation. 

Now, let us go over the reasons behind the success of the capital club this season. 

1. Rudi Garcia

It hasn’t been easy for Thomas DiBenedetto since he took over the reins at Roma in the summer of 2011. The American entrepreneur has been forced to recruit three separate managers in three years and after another disappointing season at the hands of Zdenek Zeman and Aurelio Andreazzoli, yet another summer of change beckoned for the Giallorossi. 

On June 12, 2013 the vacated managerial post was handed to Lille manager Rudi Garcia. 

The French tactician who masterminded Lille’s league and cup double triumph in 2011, gained fame for unearthing talents such as Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy and Adil Rami to name a few. 

Rudi Garcia has a knack of getting the best out of the talents available at his disposal and that is exactly what the Frenchman is achieving at A.S. Roma. 

Under-performing players are suddenly becoming integral to the Giallorossi first team and good players have gained a touch of “world class” around them. 

Gervinho, much maligned at Arsenal, is producing the sort of form which made him one of Europe’s most sought-after wingers while at Lille. Young stars like Florenzi look older and wiser while old heads like Maicon and Totti seem a couple of years younger. Meanwhile, world class talents like Pjanic and De Rossi continue to be nurtured and developed. 

Garcia’a man management talents did not just leave an impact on the first-teamers with squad members coming in and performing well when called upon with Dodo, Torosidis and Marquinho as perfect examples. 

Suddenly, with Garcia at the helm, Roma’s mid-table squad seems good enough for a title challenge. 

2. Transfers

Thomas DiBenedetto comes from the “Moneyball” school of thought implemented successfully at the Oakland Athletics under Billy Beane and with the recently crowned World Series winners, the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are owned by Fenway Sports Group (FSG) of which DiBenedetto is a partner. 

Moneyball is a methodology which originated within the statistics of Major League Baseball where players are rated on statistical values which influence the course of a baseball match. 

As a transfer strategy, Moneyball represents signing players based on their contribution to certain facets of play such as passing accuracy, pressing, crossing etc. Moneyball also focuses on acquiring talents who seem to have lost their way or seem to be underperforming for one reason or another – which allows the transfer to be negotiated at a lower value. 

DiBenedetto and the Roma board were heavily criticized in the summer for the transfer dealings which took place at the capital club. Roma supporters and Serie A pundits accused the owners of asset-stripping after the club brought in around 105 million euro in transfer outgoings. 

Marquinhos, Osvaldo and Lamela were sold for large transfer fees while Bojan, Stekelenburg and Tachtsidis also departed. 

With a clear transfer strategy and an ironclad football ideology, the capital club reinvested wisely by bringing in players who would make an instant impact on the starting eleven. 

Mehdi Benatia replaced Marquinhos, Ljajic and Gervinho covered for losing Erik Lamela and Bojan while Morgan De Sanctis took Stekelnburg’s spot as the club’s number one. 

The Stadio Olimpico also witnessed the arrival of Kevin Strootman to strengthen the midfield options after the retirement of Simone Perotta and the sale of Tachtisidis. Last but not least, Maicon joined on a free transfer from Manchester City. 

The new signings came straight into the first team with brilliant success which ensured that the likes of Marquinhos and Lamela are far from being missed. 

3. Tactics

Garcia, a philosopher with firm footballing principles, is an advocate of possession based attacking football which relies on clever movement, intricate passing and a high pressing game. 

Barring injury, Rudi Garcia lines up his Roma side in a progressive 4-3-3 formation with Totti as the mobile false nine. The defence is shielded by Danielle De Rossi while Pjanic and Strootman are allowed to foray into forward positions. The wingers Florenzi and Gervinho cut inside to add more numbers for the defenders to contend with while the fullbacks play a key role in the attacking third through their continuous overlaps. 

Garcia is not a gung-ho tactician though, his team is well drilled defensively and the high pressing game instigated by Roma’s attacking trio is crucial for quelling opposition attacks. In midfield, Strootman is tasked to cover for the forward movement of the left back while Florenzi and Pjanic drop back when needed to aid on the right flank. Benatia and Castan have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of Roma’s defence as the tactically adept Moroccan complements the physical prowess of Leandro Castan. 

Roma’s free flowing attacking football seems a page out Luciano Spalletti’s tactical notebook where the former Roma boss deployed an experimental 4-6-0 formation which kept all opposition defenders guessing due to the unpredictable movement from the team’s midfielders. 

This Roma side is not without a plan B though with Garcia and his charges showing tactical adaptability when required. The injury to Totti could have proven damaging to the fortunes of the capital club but Garcia modified the personal orders of his midfielders and wingers to get the best out of Marco Borriello as the battering ram. 

Garcia’s varied tactics are proving problematic to his Serie A counterparts and that has been critical to the success of the Giallorossi this campaign. 

4. Squad

Roma’s manager has been forced to make full use of his squad due to injuries and suspensions, pushing key players out of the starting line-up as Francesco Totti, Gervinho and Maicon, amongst others, were side-lined in recent weeks. 

The first team vacancies provided Rudi Garcia with an opportunity to test the mettle of squad members vying for first team berths and the likes of Ljajic, Borriello, Bradley and Dodo did not disappoint. 

19 different players have been utilized by Roma’s management in the 11 Serie A games this season – a sign that Garcia is willing to grant first team opportunities to those who work hard and show desire on the training ground. 

With motivation levels high and first team opportunities within their reach, Roma’s squad players are rising to the occasion and providing Garcia with plenty of selection headaches. 

5. Meanest Defence, Highly Prolific Attack

A.S. Roma seem to be a conundrum to the opposition on both sides of the pitch as they currently lead the defensive charts, while in attack, the Giallorossi, who scored 25 goals this season, lay second behind Inter Milan. 

The attacking stats would have been even better had Totti and Gervinho been available for the last three games against Udinese, Chievo Verona and Torino as Garcia’s man struggled to score more than one goal on each occasion. 

In defence, Roma are yet to concede a single goal at the Stadio Olimpico while De Sanctis has only been beaten twice away from home. The partnership of Benatia and Castan boasts the best defensive record across the European continent with just the single goal conceded. 

Conclusion

Rudi Garcia is building a title challenger based on defensive solidity and fluent attacking creativity worthy of the “La Magica” nickname. Roma’s perfect 10 is a wonderful achievement which bodes well for this young project and despite the recent draw with Torino, the capital’s undefeated club will continue to push for the Serie A title come next May.

Sources: http://www.transfermarkt.com http://espnfc.com http://www.squawka.com