To me the potential Lovren signing is the most important one of the summer. More important than Lallana or Markovic or any potential striker we are looking to sign now. We can do with a decreased attacking threat, after losing Suarez, if our defense significantly improves. But if it doesn't and whatever attacking players we sign to replace Suarez don't hit the ground running (which is very possible and likely), I can see us slipping back into mid-table in the first few months of the next season. Then it will be a difficult climb to make up the deficit over the rest of the season to get back into top 4. With a stronger United and Arsenal, we might just miss out.
However if we do improve the defense by the start of the season, it could carry us through the first few months while the attacking players work out the kinks and adjust to life without Suarez, and in the 2nd half of the season our improved squad quality and depth should ensure we'll be in good shape. Last season Rodgers shuffled through all the possible CB combinations and none of them truly passed the test. We need a top quality new addition who could then play with either Sakho or Skrtel and form a partnership that truly works. Fullbacks are also important, but you have to sort out the CB situation first – that's the spine of the team and everything grows from there.
If Lovren deal doesn't work out, I still think Vertonghen would offer an excellent alternative. People usually have short memories and last season wasn't the best for him, but make no mistake – that's a top class CB and a real defense organizer. I heard that Barcelona are considering either him or Marquinhos as their main targets, I hope Rodgers is monitoring the situation as well. We don't need to skimp on this position, the players who fit our present requirements are rare and finding a new defensive leader will be worth every penny in the long run.
However if we do improve the defense by the start of the season, it could carry us through the first few months while the attacking players work out the kinks and adjust to life without Suarez, and in the 2nd half of the season our improved squad quality and depth should ensure we'll be in good shape. Last season Rodgers shuffled through all the possible CB combinations and none of them truly passed the test. We need a top quality new addition who could then play with either Sakho or Skrtel and form a partnership that truly works. Fullbacks are also important, but you have to sort out the CB situation first – that's the spine of the team and everything grows from there.
If Lovren deal doesn't work out, I still think Vertonghen would offer an excellent alternative. People usually have short memories and last season wasn't the best for him, but make no mistake – that's a top class CB and a real defense organizer. I heard that Barcelona are considering either him or Marquinhos as their main targets, I hope Rodgers is monitoring the situation as well. We don't need to skimp on this position, the players who fit our present requirements are rare and finding a new defensive leader will be worth every penny in the long run.
