Liverpool are short of Champions League quality

After a great end to the 2010-11 season, Liverpool started the season with realistic hopes of regaining a top four finish, with Mark Bright incredibly even tipping them for the title. However a recent run of poor form has left them seventh in the table despite spending a net £44million since King Kenny's Liverpool return.

Has King Kenny got his transfers wrong and what can Liverpool achieve?

Since the return of the Liverpool legend to the helm of the club; he has brought nine players, all with differing success.

Good purchases

Luis Suarez- The Uruguayan striker has been an undoubted success. Suarez took no time in adjusting to the English game and was fantastic towards the end of last season. The former Ajax man has scored just twice in eleven games before his recent ban; but was still a consistent threat. Since his ban Liverpool have struggled and if they are to achieve their goals this season, they will need Suarez in good form.

Jose Enrique- Liverpool’s left back represented a bargain move at £6million, in doing so solving their problem area. Defensively Liverpool have actually been strong this season, with Enrique’s addition a vital one. The former Newcastle man is as comfortable in his own half as the oppositions, with many calling for him to be selected in the Spanish national side.

Craig Bellamy- A free transfer from Manchester City, Bellamy has been good whenever he’s pulled on the red of Liverpool. A versatile player, with his ability to playing on the wing or up front, meant the dealt was always worth the gamble. Bellamy has often been selected in the key games ahead of out and out wingers, and his goal threat is still as good as ever.

Poor purchases

Andy Carroll- Dalglish quoted him as the ‘minus £15million man’; however the £35million deal has backfired spectacularly on not on him but Liverpool, with a return of just four Premier League goals in 25 games for the former Newcastle man.

Stewart Downing- Was brilliant for Villa, distinctly average for Liverpool. Without a goal or an assist in the Premier League, it’s fair to say Downing’s start with Liverpool has yet to get going.

Jordan Henderson- Another overpriced move for a young English midfielder, Henderson is another who has struggled in the red of Liverpool. Of the three signings in this category, Henderson has been the best and I’m sure will get better over time.

All three have lost or are struggling to keep a hold of their England squad place ahead of Euro 2012.

Done ok

Charlie Adam- Liverpool got their target after attempting to purchase the Scottish midfielder in the transfer window of January 2011; however for me he isn’t as good as two of the centre midfielders Dalglish let go in Alberto Aquilani and Raul Meireles. With Lucas injured, the partnering of Adam with Steven Gerrard in the recent defeat at Bolton only highlighted that the similar duo probably can’t play together, meaning Adam may be edged out of the side in favour of a holding midfielder.  

Doni- A free from Roma, the second choice keeper is yet to figure for Liverpool; however his addition adds strength to the area as Doni is a better goalkeeper then Brad Jones.

Sebastian Coates- The defender was voted young player of the recent Copa America tournament and is seen by many as the replacement to Jamie Carragher when the Liverpool legend hangs up his boots. Due to Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel’s form, he has had limited chances to impress this season; however he is young and looks a good prospect.

Where can Liverpool finish this season?

For me Champions League football is out of the question for Liverpool. They’ve been fortunate in the sense that Chelsea and Arsenal have been poor this season, but Liverpool’s inability to score goals have resulted in far too many home draws. In the big games this season Liverpool have actually been good; with wins away to Arsenal and Chelsea particular highlights, but their recent failure away to Bolton only highlighted how desperately they need Luis Suarez, with Carroll again poor. The defeat to Bolton wasn’t only a poor performance, but its timing couldn’t have been worse, with all of their rivals for a Champions League spot failing to win, meaning Dalglish’s side missed an brilliant chance to close the gap, against a side whose home form was the worst of all 92 League clubs. I think Chelsea will have too much for them in the fight for fourth, so a Europa League spot is the best they can achieve.

They currently hold a 1-0 advantage going into the home leg against Manchester City and with either Crystal Palace or Cardiff in the final, the League Cup is theirs to lose, and with Manchester United in the F.A cup, the League Cup is their best chance at silverware this season.

Kenny Dalglish heavily criticised his players in the recent defeat at Bolton stating they won't be here long if they continue to under-perform, yet he must take some of the blame for this, as six of the 13 who featured were his purchases. Don't get me wrong, Liverpool have improved under Dalglish since his return, but for me they are still miles behind not only both Manchester clubs, but also Tottenham.

Liverpool still need to add if they are to challenge.

Liverpool's recent revival under Kenny Dalglish has been impressive, however if the club are going to challenge for the top four and silverware, they still need to add to their squad.

The left-back area for Liverpool has been a problem for the club, with the Paul Konchesky, the club's last signature in the left full-back spot, suffering a horrendous first season, finishing the season on loan at Nottingham Forest. The return of Emiliano Insua from his loan spell with Galatasaray offers an alternative, however it is highly likely that Dalglish will want to bring a full back of his own. The club lost out on Gael Clichy with the Frenchman opting for Manchester City, and next in the pecking order is reportedly Jose Enrique at Newcastle United, who has frequently been linked with a move to the Merseyside club. The Spanish full back will slot in well at Liverpool. After taking a year to adjust to English football, Enrique had successive fine seasons with Newcastle, and if Dalglish secures the services of Enrique, it could bring an end to the clubs problematic area. Enrique probably won't be the only defender on Liverpool's radar, and despite Martin Skrtel impressing last year, the club will want to bring in another centre back with Daniel Agger and Sotris Kyrgiakos both linked with moves away from the club.

Enrique's fine form has attracted interest from Liverpool

Liverpool are also in desperate need to sign a winger, with Maxi Rodriguez likely to leave the club to return to Argentina. Since Rafa Benitez the club has had many wingers come and go, Jermaine Pennant and Harry Kewell to name but two who haven't matched the hype surrounding their move. Dirk Kuyt over the last three seasons has often been deployed as a winger, moving from his favoured centre forward position to help the team. However despite the Dutchman's best efforts he isn't a winger. The club have moved their need for a winger to the top of their wanted list this summer, with Stewart Downing the most likely addition. Juan Mata, Jeffren, Aaron Lennon and Marc Albrighton have all been linked with the club, however a move for the former Middlesborough star is being lined up. After a bid of £15million rejected, it is expected that Liverpool will increase their bid, with Villa likely to accept an offer in the region of £20million.

Despite Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam being good additions, for me I don't feel the duo are better then the centre midfields they already have at the club. Henderson is a huge talent, however his tender age suggests his best years at the club will be in the future. The return of Steven Gerrard is a huge bonus, and despite now being in his 30's is still the best centre midfielder at the club. The much criticised Lucas Leiva had a fantastic season and was arguably the teams player of the year last year. And when you throw in Raul Meireles and the returning Alberto Aquilani, who when you can get on the pitch is a fantastic player, the club aren't short of centre midfielders, and with the double addition of Henderson and Adam, that means Liverpool have six centre midfielders all vying for a maximum three spots in the side.

Much will be expected from their £35million man Andy Carroll this season who struggled for fitness and form despite the clubs strong form towards the end of the season. One possible reason behind this was due to their lack of a winger at the club to supply crosses for the target man, added to the fact Steven Gerrard missed the final three months of the season, Liverpool didn't have a strong set piece taker to supply Carroll, who flourished under Joey Barton's ability behind a dead ball in the first half of the season. However with Gerrard set for a return and an addition on the wing immanent, Carroll should be able to regain his form that made him England's most expensive player.

Towards the end of the season Liverpool had a nice balance to them, and the question is can Dalglish's Liverpool replicate that form when the pressure is more intensified. For me there is no way Liverpool will compete with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea for the title, however I do feel they are only a couple additions away from a much need return to the Champions League.

King Kenny is likely to continue his spending spree