Rodgers Stresses Need to Improve Attacking Options

Late last week, following a loss in the League Cup, Brendan Rodgers publicly spoke about Liverpool's worrying lack of depth and about the need for the club to buy come January. Following Sunday's draw with Newcastle, he once again hit on the need to reinforce the squad when the transfer window opens in the new year.

"I thought our performance was outstanding," Rodgers began. "In the first half our possession and intensity was relentless, we had some chances but we just switched off before half-time. I'm really pleased about how our game is developing. The patience in our game.

"But that's five draws now in 10 leagues games," he added, "and of those draws we should have won at least three. But that's about players, the type of players you need. If we can get that over the next couple of windows it bodes really well for us.

"It gives us great hope going forward that once we get that profile of player in it's going to finish off a lot of great work from us."

It's a sentiment that touches on an ongoing sore point for many of those watching at home and in Anfield on Sunday, especially coming after yet another match in which Liverpool had enough chances to win the game if only they had been able to do a better job of converting their chances into goals.

That the need to improve his options, especially in attack, appears to be turning into something of a regular talking point for the Liverpool manager could be taken one of two ways by fans similarly hoping to see investment in January and not another round of trimming wages and sending senior fringe players out on loan to no real advantage.

On the one hand, it could signal that Rodgers and the club really do have their targets lined up for when the mid-season window opens, in which case talking about the need for investment is likely an acknowledgement meant to soothe fans troubled by the lack of depth, generally poor finishing, and less than hoped for results so far.

Looked at in a less optimistic light, though, it could just as easily be imagined to be an attempt by the manager to force the owners into spending in January after the disappointing end to the summer transfer window. For those of a more skeptical bent, Rodgers' continuing comments on the club's shortcomings could be designed so that if reinforcements once again fail to materialise it will be Ian Ayre and Fenway Sports Group who draw the bulk of the ire from an increasingly frustrated fanbase.

Either way, of course, Liverpool desperately need to improve their squad options in January. Particularly in attack. Whatever the motivation for Rodgers' sudden interest in discussing that fact, then, that he is makes it difficult to imagine the club ending January without having made a signing or two in an effort to remedy the situation.