Rhian Brewster: Ready for the First Team?

With a first team front three of Mohammad Salah, Roberto Firmino firing in over 50-goals in their domestic outings, chances for the younger generation have been hard to come by at Liverpool.

Rhian Brewster has gained an impressive reputation at The Reds for his neat finishing and explosive pace while his record on the International Youth level points to a significant talent for years to come.

Having bagged 20 goals in 22 appearance for the World Cup winning U/17 Three Lions squad, the 18-year-old attracted attention from all of the major clubs but his season has since come to a traumatic end.

Brewster was ruled out for the remainder of the 2018 term after receiving oxygen during a u/23 fixture against Manchester City in January and as a result was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and ligament damage.

However, the youngster has left a lasting impression on Jürgen Klopp and co. with the player set to become a sporadic performer in the first-team squad next season.

With the German manager keen to 'promote from within' it seems that Brewster could play an integral part in the front line next season.

Rumours of a mega spending spree have circulated since January with reports of Timo Werner, Luan Vieira, and Thomas Lemar all linked with a move to Anfield, but the promotion of a youngster would be a much less costly addition.

Ushered out the door

Sturridge's Anfield career be at  an end? (image: elsport.com)

While the news of Brewster's expected push will come as a positive for him, it will come as a signal of sorrow for Daniel Sturridge - whose Anfield career may be about to come to an end.

A drastic loan move to West Brom was seen as a last roll of the dice to make the World Cup this summer but another setback looks to have ruled out hope for injury prone striker.

Also, with the current front three having embraced the Klopp way of playing, the chances of the former Manchester City and Chelsea forward disrupting the current status quo look slim to none.

With just three goals to his name this season, he is a shadow of the striker who alongside Luis Suarez bagged 23 goals for The Reds in the 2013/14 season but he has failed to replicate his stunning form since.

Oh Danny Boy

Ings has managed to forge a career on Merseyside Image:  (thisisanfield)

Despite the constant reports, Danny Ings has established himself at Liverpool as fourth choice forward having impressed Klopp with his attitude and character to prove himself on Merseyside.

Summer and January rumours linked the 25-year-old with a move to Rafa Benitez's Newcastle with fears his best times were behind him following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Ings however has shown heart to continue fighting for a place in the German's side and has featured eight times in the first team this season which considering the form of Salah, Firmino and Mane is a feat in itself.

The striker may have a career at Anfield as long as he wants it but it is unlikely he will ever become a regular starter in the side.

Jürgen Klopp made the right move in selling Phillipe Coutinho

As Liverpool fans come to terms with the loss of yet another star player to FC Barcelona, one man has brought back the discipline and respect that has been absent since the days of Kenny Dalglish, Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly.

Klopp let Coutinho go for one very valid reason (image: Liverpool Echo)

Phillipe Coutinho decided his time at Anfield was at an end, and rather than waiting until the end of the campaign the Brazilian masterminded a plan to leave Merseyside for the Nou Camp - when all he had to do was ask.

The idea of a player forcing through a move and not wanting to play for a club as grand as Liverpool would be met with a straight "see you later" from the legends that have managed the club in the past, and Jürgen Klopp brought back the days of hard stances as he waved bye-bye to the playmaker.

With a warchest now available to target his top stars, the German refused to be caught up in the saga that has embroiled many fans and reporters over the winter period.

The arrival of Van Djik should somewhat cushion the blow (image: Mirror)

While the arrival of £75m Virgil Van Djik will cover the blow, what fans should be praising at this current period is the attitude of their manager who stood up for the values of Liverpool and gave in to the wishes, with the belief that you should only be at the club if you want to.

Coutinho did not. His 'heartfelt' message on Instagram signified how much the club meant to him, and while he got his dream move, he left behind a tarnished reputation, and through away the loyalty, respect and regard that fans on Merseyside once held him so high within.

"Since the moment I arrived in Liverpool , me and my family have been made to feel so welcome and have made so many friends.

On the pitch and off the pitch, we have experienced the beauty of this club and its fans. In turn, I hope I have delivered memories and moments that have brought happiness to the Liverpool supporters.

Moving to Liverpool, I knew the club’s greatness and history but what I did learn during my time was the unique heart and soul of the place. It has its own personality and character.

I leave Liverpool because Barcelona is a dream for me. Liverpool was a dream that I was fortunate enough to realise and I have given five years of my life to it. A career on the pitch only lasts for so long and to play for Barcelona as well as Liverpool is something I want to experience and enjoy while I am blessed enough to be able to do so.

I hope the supporters understand that choosing to experience something new is not about diminishing their importance to me or the club’s importance. Nothing will ever diminish that in my heart.

I wish Jürgen and the team nothing but joy and success for the rest of this season and beyond. This is an amazing team and they are getting better and better all the time.

There are too many people I want to thank, but I cannot name everyone individually.

To all the amazing club staff who have been part of my life in Liverpool - I will miss you. To the owners, whom have tried so hard to bring success, and to the football recruitment staff for showing faith in me to bring me here and rewarding me during that journey, and to my incredible teammates, past and present, who have helped me grow and improve as a player and a person, I would like to say thank you to you all. Anything I have achieved here would not have been possible without you.

And finally, to the most important people of Liverpool - the Liverpool supporters. I can never thank you enough for what you have given me during this time and no matter where I go in the world, for the rest of my life, I will always cherish Liverpool in my heart. You, the club and the city will always be a part of me.

You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Philippe."

The post has irked Reds fans, with suggestion that the message was written by one of the players PR team as the lack of true goodbye will come at a price.

Just seen Coutinho’s farewell Instagram post - beautiful message, just a shame it wasn’t actually written by him.

— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) January 8, 2018

Coutinho's farewell message the biggest load of crap I've ever seen - he didn't write a word of this. 100% delivered by PR team. pic.twitter.com/4VW33QrK4N

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) January 9, 2018

However, with players in the squad who want to fight for the cause, it may be easier for Klopp to now create a team in his image; the manager has always been an underdog, capable of creating inspiration, and with a team lacking in quality, they'll need his skills more than ever.

Can Mo Salah win the Premier League Golden Boot?

Liverpool's Mohamad Salah has started the 2018 Premier League season in fine form. and currently sits atop the statistics for goals scored this season; but how does he compare to the man breathing down his neck?

Harry Kane emerged from a bleak Tottenham Hotspur and has since been their talisman over the past three seasons picking up the prestigious Golden Boot award in the past two terms.

However, the £35m Egyptian has so far bagged 13 goals in 16 appearances, while the England frontman has lagged behind with 12.

Is it likely is it that Liverpool's man of the hour will remain at the top of the leaderboard or will Kane equal a record set by Arsenal's Thierry Henry and finish on top for the third successive season?

Currently the pair are almost identical, except the man in red has been far more clinical in front of goal averaging a goal every 4.6 shots while Spurs' hotshot striker hits the back of the net every 7.2 attempts.

However, with Salah possessing less than a full season in red, it is hard to look past a man who has been a consistent threat on goal for three consecutive years, averaging more than a goal a game at 0.80 with 90 in his last 131 appearances in the Premier League.

Liverpool's Egyptian International has the chance to pull ahead tonight as West Brom travel to Anfield with The Baggies already shipping 22 goals this season, a respectable figure for a side battling relegation.

While, Kane will be hoping some chances come his way against Brighton & Hove Albion with this the second time the Englishman has faced the newly promoted side, as he scored past them in a 2-0 League Cup win back in 2014.

Kane is currently the favourite in the bookies, at 7/4 to take home the award come May, but Salah is at evens, in what is becoming a two-horse race.

How does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain compare with his fellow Liverpool midfield?

Liverpool's most recent acquisition Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seemed an ideal purchase, with an increase in fixtures thanks to Champions League qualification, the Englishman provided a sense of strength derived from his £35m price-tag.

Huge figures created a Summer transfer window, the likes of which have never been seen, with the most expensive player (Neymar) being sold for a figure rising to above £200m, making the scoop of an England international, an 'under-the-radar' bargain.

However with five fixtures already under his belt, his early Liverpool career has been a rocky start with just one win, two losses and two draws coupled with no registered goals or assists so far, it seems that the former Arsenal and Southampton man is currently off track.

The Reds have however not been held back by Chamberlain's slow integration, with the likes of Phillipe Cotuinho, Jordan Henderson and Giorgio Wijnaldum showcasing their ability in recent games, as Sadio Mane, Mohammad Salah and Roberto Firmino are clicking in perfect harmony.

Despite the 24-year-old not yet hitting the heights, manager Jürgen Klopp is in no hurry to leave him out to dry as he talked about his latest acquisition following his first start:

 "He didn’t have the best game of his life so in the world of football at the moment you get criticised for that, but I am not in doubt. He did really well in some moments but he is still trying to adapt to our style of play."

So while Chamberlain adapts to the Liverpool style of way, his Premier League statistics may still be a cause for concern, as his lack of assists and goals leave him some way of the standard of his fellow midfielders.

As other players who have split opinion such as Alberto Moreno, may not seem to be doing a perfect job, their stats have proven otherwise - but with the Englishman, this does not seem to be the case.

However, with his time at Anfield still in its early days, he has many more chances to prove his worth; as a £35m transfer fee will be anything but a "gamble" in the eyes of the German in the hot-seat.

Alberto Moreno Liverpool's secret weapon

Alberto Moreno – a player who attracts criticism and controversy, but yet a constant figure on manager Jurgen Klopp’s team-sheet, but why?

The £12 million purchase was deemed the answer to all of Liverpool’s left-back problems, and a sensational debut goal seemed to reassure any doubt within the Kop faithful.

However, three years down the line and the 25-year-old has split opinion regarding his ability, with his defensive attributes also brought into question.

Despite The Reds shipping 12 goals in the eight fixtures Moreno has featured, the Spaniard who at one point looked to be the next figure offloaded – now looks a mainstay at Anfield.

Second chances are a rarity in the football world, yet Klopp seems to have granted his now first choice left-back a stay of execution, a decision that seems to be paying off.

With five wins, two draws and one defeat in the matches Moreno has played, the Spaniard looks to be a key player in his manager’s continuing plans.

What may be the full-back’s saving grace is by no means his defensive statistics, but his attacking positives which rival any opponent around the Premier League.

Totalling six chances created, Moreno has proven himself to be a valuable asset to Klopp’s attack hungry reds, a positive yet worrying stat for some.

Despite adding an extra slice of firepower to an already impressive collection of attacking talent, his defensive ability may be less than a worry as first thought.

A respectable 75% of his tackles have been won, a stat matched by both Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso and Benjamin Mendy.

With just four starts in the Premier League under his belt it seems that Moreno may finally be getting to grips with the fast-paced English game as he is beginning to show the form that warranted his steep price-tag.

However, with Summer signing Andy Robertson breathing down his neck, and with James Milner and Joe Gomez capable replacements, he looks to be in a continuing fight for his position.

Liverpool finally cutting the red tape on Summer transfers

A explosive start in the Summer transfer window saw Liverpool Fc linked with a flurry of top stars as Mohammad Salah became the first and record signing at the club.

Despite signing one of Serie A's brightest talents of last season, The Reds hit stumbling block after stumbling block with a number of their top targets becoming seemingly unattainable additions.

Virgin Van Djik, Southampton Captain looked en route to Anfield, but reports of unsportsmanlike conduct threw a spanner in the works as Southampton refused to sell, halting the much needed reinforcement.

Following the Dutchman's heartbreaking rejection was Naby Kieta who, just like the centre-back was viewed as an important figure at his club Red Bull Liepzig, who with a major season ahead of them including Champions League football put up a barrier to the Premier League club.

With just Salah and back-up left back Andrew Robertson coming into the squad so far, the sense of disillusionment grew within the Reds' faithful and intensified following a 2-2 draw with Watford on the opening day of the season.

Despite improvements in results, most notably a 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal on Sunday, and Champions League qualification secured, the belief that reinforcements were still required has remained but Liverpool answered their critics and have since reinstalled confidence within Jurgen Klopp's men.

The recent announcement that midfielder Kieta will be linking up with The Reds next season following a £48m agreement has come as a surprise, with Liverpool finally tearing down the red tape to land their man; albeit with him not figuring in plans until a year later however.

In spite of this, fans on social media have seen this as a positive step with, Fenway Sports Group finally splashing the cash they have been patiently saving, but is there more in store on Merseyside?

FSG - ready to splash the cash? (image: verocom)

With one transfer that looked off limits now secured, the rumours surrounding another once impending figure may be back on as the transfer window draws to a close in two days time.

Van Djik has made it clear regarding his lack of intention to feature for The Saints this season, but Mauricio Pellegrini may finally cave in to the idea of selling his captain as he frantically searches for a replacement over the next 48-hours.

While this is surely a clear sign of moving forward, there is yet another duo of players that may be on their way to Anfield, with Thomas Lemar a target that has been once again blocked off, with AS Monaco refusing to sell after already losing Benjamin Mendy, Bernado Silva (Manchester City), Tiemoue Bakayoko (Chelsea).

The Reds have already had a bid of £65m rejected but are believed to be planning an improved offer of around £75m, for the 21-year-old who has scored 20-goals in his career so far, from 130 games.

Arsenal midfielder Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is a player who is attempting to force through a move to Anfield, after rejecting a switch to last years League champions following a £40m bid, with the 24-year-old English International rejecting a contract extension at the Emirates.

With a number of players interested in a move to Merseyside, excitement is back, and with Champions League group stages set to begin in mid-September, there is a buzz of the big-time for Klopp and co.

Still work to be done for Liverpool in Transfer Window

A Champions League victory over Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim is something to celebrate for Jürgen Klopp and co. but their long road to success has barely begun.

With a potential nightmare clash a possibility in the Group Stages that feature the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Juventus, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, the strength in depth and lack there of, should be a cause of concern for The Reds.

Despite the season barely underway, cracks have already shown, despite the management knowing about the safety hazards since the end of last term, with just one major signing in the form of Mohammad Salah, the Liverpool attack has been a lethal force, meanwhile their defensive line are yet to restore faith in fans.

With three goals conceded in their first Premier League fixture against Watford, who finished with just 40-goals last season, the back four is still a key area to be addressed with Klopp's strength in depth lacking compared to other top-four sides.

Anfield's first choice defence came to a grand total of £44m if Alberto Moreno plays at left-back, or £32m with James Milner guarding that portion of the field meanwhile, Manchester City have forked out £123m on a trio of full backs this transfer window alone (Kyle Walker [Tottenham], Benjamin Mendy [Monaco], Danilo [Real Madrid]).

Liverpool have been held to ransom over their first choice targets, with Southampton captain Virgin Van Djik's proposed £50m+ move to Merseyside put on hold, despite a transfer request with the player currently training on his own.

However, despite this unfortunate circumstance with the Saints' board now refusing to sell, no back up targets have emerged, with Klopp maintaining his satisfaction with his current crop, although a number of critics have spoken out against his choice.

With just a week until the transfer window closes on August 31, 23:00, time is running out for recruitment to be added to the reds who will be fighting on four fronts, in the Premier League, FA Cup, League cup and Champions League with a minimum of 46 games to be played across the entire campaign.