Rodgers’ recent recruits offer Liverpool promise as practicality trumps fantasy

Whether Brendan Rodgers has learned anything from last summer’s transfer window, for now remains to be seen. However, in not spending so far, he has acquired two quality players; James Milner and Danny Ings.

While the former has won two Premier League winners medals with Manchester City and featured at international tournaments with England, the latter is just getting started.

Ings’ goal return for a Burnley side that was relegated from the top-flight was enough to warrant a move to the Reds, plus a call-up for the UEFA Under-21 Championship for England, where he is now expected to play a starring role following Saido Berhaino’s injury.

Although, there will inevitably be a transition period at Liverpool, who are 5/2 with Coral for a top four finish next term, and fans must be patient.

Former Bournemouth boy Ings has all the attributes to be a success, and could well form an interesting partnership of sorts with new arrival last season Adam Lallana, who should relish servicing a player who makes as many intelligent runs.

Despite captain Steven Gerrard leaving, Milner isn’t a like-for-like replacement; however, he will add grit in midfield and offer a natural complement to Jordan Henderson, who can focus on the more glamorous side of the game.

It remains to be seen whether Rodgers indeed has a transfer plan. There were questions raised last year whether his acquisitions were made without practical thought, though in contrast the two recruits so far do have a basis of logic.

Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren arrived from Southampton last summer, though the former by his own admission had an average season amid an injury-hit campaign. There is more to come from him and latter, such a strong defender for Croatia and Saints, while target man Lambert looks a fading force at his hometown team.