It has been a far from ideal start to 2015 for Liverpool fans who appear to have been in collective mourning since news broke that Steven Gerrard will be leaving the club at the end of the season late on New Year’s Day.
Gerrard reminded everyone of his class by scoring both goals as the Reds scraped past AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup on Monday night and raised further questions as to what exactly the club will do without their talismanic captain from next season.
The first half of the season has proved bitterly disappointing even with Gerrard in the starting line-up for Liverpool who currently sit mid-table and out of the Champions League.
2015 has now become all about making that top four and ensuring Gerrard ends his Liverpool career with another trophy in the cabinet.
In order to do that however, Brendan Rodgers may have to get busy in the January transfer window.
Here we have identified a dream starting XI for Liverpool fans following the close of the window.
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Click on Brendan Rodgers to reveal The DREAM starting XI all Liverpool fans want by February 2nd.
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Petr Cech
The Chelsea goalkeeper has lost his place at Stamford Bridge this season at a time in which Liverpool are crying out for a new number one.
Reports suggest the Blues are unwilling to let Cech leave this winter but the offer of first team football may be too tempting for the 32-year-old to turn down.
Simon Mignolet has endured a torrid campaign and was at fault for yet another goal in the FA Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon on Monday night. Cech is one of the best goalkeepers of the Premier League era and would go a long way to rectifying the Reds defensive problems, which left unattended will end up costing them any sort of success this season.
Jon Flanagan, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno
Liverpool have produced another defensive horror show this season but given that Rodgers has spent more than £60 milion on a new backline over the past 18 months, we can’t see him being trusted with further funds.
The best thing he can do over the second half of the season is continue with Mamadou Sakho who has looked an improvement on Dejan Lovren since his return from injury. Jon Flanagan would also be a welcome addition to a back four with one of the stars of last season yet to kick a ball this term due to injury.
The local lad nicknamed ‘the Scouse Cafu’ could offer some much needed bite in the tackle and passion for the cause – something that has been missing so far this season.
Steven Gerrard / Emre Can, Jordan Henderson
Whilst Liverpool fans will be desperate to see Steven Gerrard as much as possible during his last five months at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers must also consider the future. 4-2-3-1 has been the most commonly used formation this season and Emre Can and captain elect Jordan Henderson would be seen as the best long-term midfield partnership for that system.
Can has been deployed as a third centre back of late whilst Henderson has been shafted to the right in Rodgers new 3-4-3 system. Playing the two in their preffered positions is important not just for the present but for the long-term whilst Gerrard showed against AFC Wimbledon that he will be on hand to provide moments of genius until his final game in a Liverpool shirt.
Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana / Xherdan Shaqiri
Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have shown promising signs in recent weeks as a makeshift front three. But with Lallana ruled out for a month and with Daniel Sturridge set to return shortly (touch wood), you feel Rodgers will revert back to the 4-2-3-1 system.
Whilst there is plenty of creativity in this front three, they have managed just 10 Premier League goals between them this season (Sterling and Lallana with four each and Coutinho with two).
Bayern Munich star Xherdan Shaqiri is set to move this winter and is more of a consistent goal scorer who is capable of slotting into a number of attacking positions.
The Reds have been strongly linked with a move but face a fight with Inter Milan for his signature.
Daniel Sturridge/ Saido Berahino
If the signing of Mario Balotelli has taught Brendan Rodgers anything, it is that Liverpool’s style of football simply does not work without a pacey striker capable of running in behind.
And with Daniel Sturridge having not featured since August 31st, the Reds have had to come up with the bright idea to stick Raheem Sterling up top.
That is why Liverpool have been so strongly linked with a move for Saido Berahino – a young English talent similar to Sturridge in style. Reports suggest new Baggies boss Tony Pulis is keen to cash in on the forward who is already into double figures for the season, in order to add his own players.
Reports claim Liverpool will battle with Tottenham for the signature of the England Under-21 international star.
