Rodgers may be a good coach, but his work in the transfer market leaves a lot to be desired.
This summer may have seen a change to the ex-Swansea boss’ approach in the window, yet he is still haunted by his previous failings and poor investment of the Luis Suarez income. For every Sturridge or Coutinho transfer, Rodgers has had more than his fair share of transfer howlers.
Since the days of the Carroll, Aquilani and Adam investments, Liverpool have been erratic in their purchases to say the least.
Here are the FIVE worst signings from Rodgers at Liverpool…
Luis Alberto
Having joined Rodgers’ Liverpool in 2013, Alberto was one of the more underwhelming additions from his reign to date. Fortunately Alberto was not retained for more than the single season and is about to begin his second loan spell away from Melwood.
Firstly at Malaga, and now at Deportivo, Alberto was a fine example of Rodgers’ questionable judgement of signings. The standard of player Rodgers initially looked to move for during his stint on Merseyside was undoubtedly below the par that Liverpool should have been looking towards.
Iago Aspas
Aspas, similar to Alberto, never looked like he was going to be up to the standard of Liverpool. Now on his way to Celta, Aspas enjoyed some time with Sevilla after spending a couple of years making himself cosy amongst the substitutes at Anfield.
Rodgers’ desire to initially add Spanish players to his squad was understandable, but his ambition was either too low, or his judgement was not of the calibre required. Another who was reduced to minor cup appearances and substitute cameos, the Spaniard will feel that his big break at Liverpool damaged his career more than anything positive.
Dejan Lovren
One season in the Premier League with Southampton was enough to tempt Rodgers into splashing the cash on Dejan Lovren. While the Croat had been inconsistent at times for Lyon, his stellar first season on the south coast gave the impression of a man perfectly suited to the Premier League.
While he may still come good, Lovren has been the butt of many a joke during his first season on Merseyside. Rodgers could be proved right on Lovren, although there will need to be a marked improvement on his first season to justify the money spent last summer.
Rickie Lambert
Lambert’s move to Anfield was a fairy tale that seemed too good to be true and, indeed, it was. The rise from the lower divisions to Champions League football was a remarkable one, but the transfer never really looked like it was going to be a successful one for either party.
Rodgers may have been lured in by the romance of the deal, yet Lambert (however good he is) is not going to be good enough for a top club at his age. Hold up play is good and well, but it simply does not fit in with the style that Rodgers has developed at Anfield.
Javier Manquillo
This one is not the biggest of Rodgers’ transfer crimes, as it was a two-year loan deal that was cut short, but Manquillo’s indifferent campaign at Liverpool was another case of misjudgement.
Ten league appearances were up and down and, whilst a good defender, Manquillo didn’t provide the attacking outlet that Rodgers craves from his wide defenders.
Manquillo’s failings have left Liverpool on the search for full-backs once again and were forced to splash out on Nathaniel Clyne this summer.