Liverpool: Where do they need to strengthen this summer?

After a disappointing 2014/15 campaign, we look at the areas Liverpool may look to strengthen this summer.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers splashed out £119m on nine players last summer following the big-money departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

However, it is fair to say that none of those new arrivals made the sort of impression the club had been hoping for, making this transfer window all the more vital.

Which positions will Rodgers and Liverpool’s much-discussed transfer committee be hoping to strengthen during the close season?

Right-back

With Glen Johnson leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of June and Jon Flanagan not expected to be fit again until next year after suffering another knee injury in April, right-back is an area Liverpool urgently need to bolster.

Rodgers tried out midfielder Emre Can and Javier Manquillo – on a two-year loan from Atletico Madrid - in the role last season, without either fully convincing, although the latter is expected to remain at Anfield next season.

Liverpool appear to have identified who they want to fill this void, having recently seen a £10m bid for Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne rejected.

And with Rodgers expected to return with an improved offer for the England international, and Andre Wisdom - fresh from agreeing a new four-year deal - also back from a season-long loan with West Brom, the Liverpool manager could have a trio of young right-backs to choose from when the new campaign gets under way.

Central midfield

Rodgers has already seen captain Steven Gerrard join LA Galaxy, while question marks continue over the future of forward Raheem Sterling after Liverpool recently rejected a bid for the player from Manchester City.

Gerrard’s role is set to be filled by Can, who is expected to move from defence into a position in front of the back four alongside either Joe Allen or Lucas Leiva.

But with Jordon Ibe, Lazor Markovic and Adam Lallana all occupying the flanks, and new signing James Milner providing competition for Philippe Coutinho in the ‘hole’ behind a lone striker, Rodgers could still be looking to sign a midfielder who can either cover or play alongside Jordan Henderson in the centre of the park.

And if reports in Italy are to be believed, then Liverpool want that player to be Inter Milan’s 21-year-old Croatia international Mateo Kovacic, who would cost in the region of £16m.

Striker

With Liverpool scoring virtually half as many Premier League goals last season as they had managed in the previous campaign, there is no doubt which part of the team Rodgers most needs to strengthen the most.

Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini could all leave Anfield during the close season, while first-choice striker Daniel Sturridge is not expected to return from hip surgery until October at the earliest.

All of which means Rodgers may have to rely on Danny Ings, signed recently from Burnley, and Belgium youngster Divock Origi, unless attacking reinforcements can be added.

One striker consistently linked with a move to Merseyside is Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke after it was revealed the 24-year-old had a £32.5m buy-out clause in his contract, while weekend reports claimed QPR’s Charlie Austin was also a potential target.

If the Reds could lure the powerful Belgian to the club, possibly using the funds from Sterling’s expected big-money sale to City, then Rodgers will have a potent and pacy forward line at his disposal next season.