LFC: Recreating Suarez' goals

   The departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona was a highly anticipated event and, much to the relief of fans of any other Premier League team, eventually happened for a fee of around £75 million. This of course leaves a massive gap of 31 goals and 12 assists in the Premier League season, of which he missed the opening five games. Of course Liverpool have retained the like of Daniel Sturridge, Coutinho and Raheem Sterling who notched up 35 goals and 19 assists between them and have also added Rickie Lambert to the squad, who finished last season scoring 13 goals and assisting 10 for Southampton last season. However Lambert, who cost Liverpool just £4 million, is thought to be more of a plan B and is in no way a direct replacement for Luis Suarez' direct dribbling game.



   The Reds have not been shy in spending their money from the Suarez deal. Emre Can joined from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £8 million, which by all means is a good price for the 20 year old versatile midfielder, who can play in front of the defence and fill in at left back if necessary. Adam Lallana signed from Southampton for £25 million and was joined by Dejan Lovren for £20 million. Lallana had a fantastic season for Southampton and will no doubt recreate some of the assists that Luis Suarez did last season. A very strong dribbler and passer of the ball and a good finisher as well. Dejan Lovren is also a good addition for the weak defence at Liverpool FC, but may not be the required signing for a team hoping to challenge for the title again.
   Liverpool then brought in lively Benfica winger Lazar Markovic who will no doubt play a key part in Rodgers plans this season. He is also only of 20 years of age so another young signing for Liverpool, and will provide a constant threat down the wings with his direct dribbling. Markovic scored 5 goals in 19 starts and 7 substitute appearances for Benfica in the league last season, and also picked up Champions League experience along the way.



   Young Belgian Divock Origi signed for Liverpool after being linked to many clubs after an impressive World Cup in Brazil. The 19 year old striker will be a big player in the future, as indicated by the £10 million fee Liverpool had to fork out to prise him away from LOSC Lille. At present however, Origi has only netted 6 times in 40 games for them, and has this season to add to that with a loan back to Lille. Rodgers also added 20 year old defender Javi Manquillo on loan from Atletico Madrid, adding further depth to the defensive line.
   As of yet, it seems Liverpool may have to rely on Daniel Sturridge to fire the Reds to the top four again, with no proven striker signed yet, however Liverpool are keeping their eye on Wilfried Bony from Swansea, but face direct competition from Tottenham for the striker.
   How do you think Liverpool will do without Suarez and do you believe they will be able to replace his influence on the pitch?

Tottenham Hotspur: The Transfer Window

      After 5 or arguably 6 of last season's 7 summer signings failed to gel together, Spurs fans will be hoping that this season will be more successful in the bedding in of both this and last seasons signings. New boss Mauricio Pochettino has so far brought in some good additions to the Tottenham squad, with potentially a couple more to come.
      First of all, Ben Davies and Michel Vorm arrived as a double signing from Swansea with Gylfi Sigurdsson going the other way. A good move for Spurs, with Ben Davies likely to be the starting left back over the average at best Danny Rose, with the latter providing decent competition for the 21 year old Davies. Not only did this improve a position Spurs have needed improving for years, but also seemingly spells the end of Cameroonian Benoit Assou-Ekotto's seven year stay at the club, which many fans will be pleased about after seeing his lacklustre performances for recently promoted QPR and even a headbutt on Cameroon teammate Benjamin Moukandjo during the World Cup in Brazil.
      Michel Vorm is also a very good (and cheap) signing for Pochettino's squad. He will be second choice to Hugo Lloris for this season, potentially playing in the Europa League and cup games, and possibly make the step up to first choice if Lloris leaves depending on Spurs' european qualification. The immortal Brad Friedel stays on as Player/coach but is inevitably moved down to third choice, with Gomes departing to Watford.



      Despite only making one competitve appearance for the club since joining from Juventus, Iago Falque left the club for around £4 million to join Genoa back in the Serie A. This transfer money soon got re-invested into England under 21 Eric Dier, from Sporting Lisbon. Dier plays centre half and can also be utilised at defensive midfield and played 26 games for the Portuguese club during his two year stay there. Not only does this add a young Englishman to the squad, but also improves on a position lacking for Tottenham over the previous two seasons. However, Tottenham are still trying to improve this position more with the signing of Argentine and Villarreal defender Matteo Musacchio, who is edging ever closer to a move to the North London club. It is likely that Dier will be on the edge of the first team, appearing in cups and european ties against lesser opposition, but Musacchio will be in the first team, potentially to replace captain Michael Dawson, or more surprisingly Vlad Chiriches has been linked with a move away.



    Tottenham are also looking to re-inforce in other areas of the squad, with Pochettino looking at familiar faces Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez to come in for around £30-£35 million combined. If Schneiderlin joins, it could spell the end for Sandro, who has been constantly linked with a move to Napoli over the pre-season. Rodriguez would be a brilliant signing, energetic and looked a different player under Pochettino at Southampton, and fits very well into his system scoring 15 goals in 33 league games last season.
    Perhaps the most important contract signed this season was the 5 year deal handed to Hugo Lloris, however as previously mentioned, without Champions League football, which Lloris deserves, he may find it hard to stay at the Lilywhites past this season.
   A new deal also looms for Jan Vertonghen, which would also be a huge boost for Tottenham, with the defender being linked to a move to Barcelona for the last two transfer windows. Danny Rose was also handed a five year deal, and seems ready to knuckle down and fight for his place against Ben Davies at left back.