It has become the biggest bone of contention on Merseyside; Rafael Benitez's prowess in the transfer market. This season, with Liverpool struggling domestically and dumped out of the Champions League before Christmas, the Spaniard's signings have been under even more intense scrutiny than usual.
It was supposed to be the campaign in which the Reds ended their 20-year wait for a league title, having run Manchester United agonisingly close last season. But a slow start quickly turned into a crisis, and Liverpool enter the home straight of the Premier League season with their eyes on merely a top-four finish, with a quarter-final spot in the Europa League offering minimal consolation.
IN: Johnson (Portsmouth), Aquilani (AS Roma), Kyrgiakos (AEK Athens), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Mavinga (Paris SG), Voronin (Hertha Berlin, loan return)
OUT: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen), Pennant (Real Zaragoza), Dossena (Napoli), Voronin (Dynamo Moscow), Buchtmann (Fulham), Mihaylov (FC Twente), Leto (Panathinaikos), Hammill (Barnsley), Flynn (Falkirk)
OUT: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen), Pennant (Real Zaragoza), Dossena (Napoli), Voronin (Dynamo Moscow), Buchtmann (Fulham), Mihaylov (FC Twente), Leto (Panathinaikos), Hammill (Barnsley), Flynn (Falkirk)
Glen Johnson: C
In theory, replacing the solid and steady Alvaro Arbeloa with the pacy and adventurous Johnson should have added an extra dimension to Liverpool's game. In reality, however, the 25-year-old's introduction has certainly upset the balance of the side, and defensively Liverpool have not been anywhere near as solid as in previous seasons, with Johnson often exposed from set-pieces.
Johnson cannot be held entirely responsible of course, and has produced some eye-catching individual displays. But having cost around £18 million from Portsmouth in the summer, the England man was expected to help the Reds take the next step, and that hasn't happened. The fact that the side's most consistent run of results came when Johnson was injured, and Jamie Carragher was filling in at full-back, says plenty.
Alberto Aquilani: D
The great new hope or Benitez's white elephant? Aquilani was signed almost instantly after Alonso's abrupt departure, but an ankle injury meant he was unavailable until the middle of November, by which time Liverpool were struggling both domestically and in Europe. A pair of viruses have further limited his appearances in the first team, and Benitez recently opted for the prosaic Lucas Leiva over the Italian for a crunch game at Old Trafford, which hints at a lack of faith in his £17m man, surely.
In theory, replacing the solid and steady Alvaro Arbeloa with the pacy and adventurous Johnson should have added an extra dimension to Liverpool's game. In reality, however, the 25-year-old's introduction has certainly upset the balance of the side, and defensively Liverpool have not been anywhere near as solid as in previous seasons, with Johnson often exposed from set-pieces.
Johnson cannot be held entirely responsible of course, and has produced some eye-catching individual displays. But having cost around £18 million from Portsmouth in the summer, the England man was expected to help the Reds take the next step, and that hasn't happened. The fact that the side's most consistent run of results came when Johnson was injured, and Jamie Carragher was filling in at full-back, says plenty.
Alberto Aquilani: D
The great new hope or Benitez's white elephant? Aquilani was signed almost instantly after Alonso's abrupt departure, but an ankle injury meant he was unavailable until the middle of November, by which time Liverpool were struggling both domestically and in Europe. A pair of viruses have further limited his appearances in the first team, and Benitez recently opted for the prosaic Lucas Leiva over the Italian for a crunch game at Old Trafford, which hints at a lack of faith in his £17m man, surely.
Aqua-plain? | Italian has struggled to impress
Aquilani has shown brief glimpses of his undoubted class - assists against Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers, and a well-taken goal against Portsmouth - but they have been too rare for him to be considered anything like a success, and the fact that he is not yet an automatic choice speaks volumes. Liverpool fans will be hoping to see a lot more from him next term.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos: B
Very much a 'bargain bin' signing - Benitez originally wanted Hull City's Michael Turner - but 'Soto' has proved his worth in a testing season. At £1.5m, miracles were never expected, but the Greek defender has done a stellar job whenever called upon. In a season of defensive upheaval, the 30-year-old's displays in tough away games at Stoke City and Wolves helped the Reds rack up an eight-game unbeaten run. Will never be first choice at Anfield, but has proven himself an able reserve.
Maxi Rodriguez: D-
Signed on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, the Argentine winger has had a baptism of fire at Anfield in a trying time. Clearly short of match-fitness, and struggling to adapt to a new way of playing, the 29-year-old has made precious little impact since his arrival. When he is used in tandem with Dirk Kuyt - as he was against Manchester United - Liverpool lack penetration and pace on the flanks, and so far we have seen little evidence of his eye for goal. Will surely improve, but as yet he has not earned his place in the side.
Andriy Voronin: E
Not strictly a summer 'signing' but the Ukrainian returned to Anfield from a decent, if not spectacular, season in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin. Benitez declined the chance to add a striker to his ranks before the transfer window closed in August, but his faith in Voronin proved misplaced. The 31-year-old struggled in just about every outing in the first team - including a woeful showing away at Lyon in the Champions League - and was offloaded to Dynamo Moscow as soon as the transfer window re-opened in January. Not Benitez's finest hour, even if he was a free transfer signing.
Chris Mavinga: N/V
Yet to make a first team appearance, but the tall Frenchman - who can play as a left-sided or central defender - looks the part in the Reds' reserve side. Bags of pace and athleticism, there are doubts about his propensity to dive into tackles, leaving himself exposed, but Benitez has high hopes for the 18-year-old, and with Emiliano Insua having struggled at left-back this season, there could soon be a first team chance for the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster.
FINAL GRADE: D
It has become almost too easy to sling mud at Benitez this season, but the Spaniard will not look back on this season's transfer business with any great pride, it must be said. The upside, of course, is that both Johnson and Aquilani are young enough to come good in the long-term, and have both shown promise, but in many respects the damage has already been done. Liverpool are well off the pace in the Premier League, and their squad currently looks three or four players short of being top class.
Financial constraints may well be heavily to blame, with a club debt of £237m meaning cut-backs were necessary, but Benitez needed to get his signings spot-on - especially after the departure of the influential Alonso - and it has to be said that he hasn't managed to. That he neglected to bring in a striker - even on loan - in favour of retaining Voronin is one of the biggest criticisms from Liverpool supporters, and this was exacerbated when Fernando Torres picked up an injury on international duty.
They might still make fourth place this season, and the Europa League represents a genuine chance of silverware, but Liverpool fans will be expecting smarter business this summer if their side is to regain its place at the top of the Premier League tree.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos: B
Very much a 'bargain bin' signing - Benitez originally wanted Hull City's Michael Turner - but 'Soto' has proved his worth in a testing season. At £1.5m, miracles were never expected, but the Greek defender has done a stellar job whenever called upon. In a season of defensive upheaval, the 30-year-old's displays in tough away games at Stoke City and Wolves helped the Reds rack up an eight-game unbeaten run. Will never be first choice at Anfield, but has proven himself an able reserve.
Maxi Rodriguez: D-
Signed on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, the Argentine winger has had a baptism of fire at Anfield in a trying time. Clearly short of match-fitness, and struggling to adapt to a new way of playing, the 29-year-old has made precious little impact since his arrival. When he is used in tandem with Dirk Kuyt - as he was against Manchester United - Liverpool lack penetration and pace on the flanks, and so far we have seen little evidence of his eye for goal. Will surely improve, but as yet he has not earned his place in the side.
Andriy Voronin: E
Not strictly a summer 'signing' but the Ukrainian returned to Anfield from a decent, if not spectacular, season in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin. Benitez declined the chance to add a striker to his ranks before the transfer window closed in August, but his faith in Voronin proved misplaced. The 31-year-old struggled in just about every outing in the first team - including a woeful showing away at Lyon in the Champions League - and was offloaded to Dynamo Moscow as soon as the transfer window re-opened in January. Not Benitez's finest hour, even if he was a free transfer signing.
Chris Mavinga: N/V
Yet to make a first team appearance, but the tall Frenchman - who can play as a left-sided or central defender - looks the part in the Reds' reserve side. Bags of pace and athleticism, there are doubts about his propensity to dive into tackles, leaving himself exposed, but Benitez has high hopes for the 18-year-old, and with Emiliano Insua having struggled at left-back this season, there could soon be a first team chance for the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster.
FINAL GRADE: D
It has become almost too easy to sling mud at Benitez this season, but the Spaniard will not look back on this season's transfer business with any great pride, it must be said. The upside, of course, is that both Johnson and Aquilani are young enough to come good in the long-term, and have both shown promise, but in many respects the damage has already been done. Liverpool are well off the pace in the Premier League, and their squad currently looks three or four players short of being top class.
Financial constraints may well be heavily to blame, with a club debt of £237m meaning cut-backs were necessary, but Benitez needed to get his signings spot-on - especially after the departure of the influential Alonso - and it has to be said that he hasn't managed to. That he neglected to bring in a striker - even on loan - in favour of retaining Voronin is one of the biggest criticisms from Liverpool supporters, and this was exacerbated when Fernando Torres picked up an injury on international duty.
They might still make fourth place this season, and the Europa League represents a genuine chance of silverware, but Liverpool fans will be expecting smarter business this summer if their side is to regain its place at the top of the Premier League tree.
Read more!
