The English Premier League is one of the toughest league in the World. Alongside League fixtures, Capital one cup and FA Cup really tests the physical strength and depth of squad. It’s proper squad rather than good teams who win Silverwares. Last season, Liverpool FC fell just short of what could be their 19th league title is lack of proper substitutions available to Brendan Rodgers.
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When Manchester City had a proper squad, Rodgers was fielding in almost same starting XI every week. Due to injuries of key players and without key players available on the bench, Rodgers had to be content with his starting XI. Even though Luis Suarez managed to score almost every other game in which he played, but after his departure in this transfer window, questions were raised about squad strength.
After Barcelona, Liverpool have spent 2nd top spenders in this transfer window leaving team like Real Madrid behind.
So far Brendan Rodgers has managed to bring in 8 players with one or two still lurking. Almost every other week, a new player was seen at Melwood holding his shirt and posing to the photographers. Some of them were known while others seems to be huge prospect in coming future. It was an extremely busy summer for Ian Ayre, Managing Director of Liverpool who had to fly from here to there to bring in new players. With so much shopping Rodgers has managed to give deepness to his meek squad from last season.
Last season, Liverpool made the lowest substitutions in the Premier League.
In the first match of season, Liverpool showed why adding strength and depth to squad is necessary. LFC started with 2 new signings, Dejan Lovren and Javier Manquillo while their proper replacements were available on bench unlike last season. When the match was level at 1-1, Rodgers exercised his transfers and bring in Rickie Lambert and Joe Allen. Both these transfers played a pivotal role in their second goal. Sturridge who looked alone in the whole match, looks more confident after Lambert arrival. Although Lambert didn’t directly took part in 2nd goal but with his arrival LFC looked more confident going forward.
Having players like Lallana, Markovic and Moreno, Liverpool have indicated they mean business in this transfer window.
So maybe Liverpool still need a proper striker to partner with Daniel Sturridge and recent reports claimed that AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is set to sign for LFC. A bigger squad is already showing their effects on Liverpool. It might just be the ingredient that was missing last season and Liverpool can go a step forward to grab silverware this season.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
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