2011/2012 Season Liverpool New Arrival: No.19 Stewart Downing

Position: LW/RW

Age: 26

Previous Club: Aston Villa

2010/2011 stats: 38 games 7 goals 7 assists

International Caps: England- 27 caps

Transfer fee: 20M

Liverpool has been lacking of a single natural winger in the team. Kuyt, Maxi, Joe Cole and even Meireles were used in the winger position since the come-back of King Kenny, but none of them are natural winger. One of the most important focuses in this year summer transfer for Liverpool is to look for a natural winger with speed and crossing ability who can supply crosses for Andy Carroll. While initial target Aston Villa winger Ashley Young chose to join Manchester United, King Kenny has quickly identified Stewart Downing as his no.1 winger target. Downing's 20M transfer fee was considered to be over-valued but Liverpool was in desperate need for a proven and established winger in the league who can provide pin-point crosses into the penalty box to maximize the ability of Carroll to justify his 35M transfer fee in January. In fact, many football insiders could see Downing as the perfect complement for Carroll, a traditional British big central forward who needs crossing from the flank to fully display his scoring/heading ability.

Some fans believe an internationl class winger like Spanish Mata should prove to be better money-for-value than Downing. However, not only foreign wingers may need time to adapt to the physical English league, but also most foreign wingers prefer to use their speed and dribble skills in the wing than making crosses into the box. I am not saying Liverpool should never sign a skillful international winger who can take on defenders on the wing, but I do believe Liverpool needs a winger who can cross as much as a winger who can dribble. In the ideal world, I really hope Liverpool can also sign someone like Mata on the opposite wing of Downing.

Downing has been one of the league's top youngsters since his early career with Middlesbrough. He was selected by England national team 27 times as of today. He has helped Middlesbrough to earn runners-up in UEFA Cup. He may not be very skillful or full-of-tricks, but he is quick and intelligent. He is a great team player who helps out in defending. He has also improved his right foot to the point which earned him more assists with his right foot than his left last season! He has been very impressive for Aston Villa last season and was chosen as the Club's Player of the Season. Last season, Downing has put in 137 crosses into the box which was the highest amounts provided by any single player in the league! Many fans doubted him because Downing is not fancy and eye-catching; however, many managers love Downing for the similar reason-Unspectacular but Efficient.

His ability to play as both wings will be a great assets for Liverpool. Chances are Downing will likely be featured in any formation: 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-3. Along with Adam, Downing can be the X-factor for Liverpool this coming season.

Has Liverpool over-paid for him at 20M? Probably! However, I would rather Liverpool over-spend in getting the right player than getting some disappointing players at a bargain!

2011/2012 Season Liverpool New Arrival: No.26 Charlie Adam

Position: CMF

Age: 25

Previous Club: Blackpool FC

2010/2011 stats: 34 games 12 goals 8 assists

International Cap: Scotland- 11 Caps

Transfer fee: 9M

Although Blackpool FC only spend one season in the premiership before they quickly relegated to the Champship Division, many fans had been impressed with Blackpool's entertaining exciting attacking football. Their captain Charlie Adam has been particularly impressive for his leadership in the heart of the midfield as Adam has been sensationally nominated as top 6 candidates for the 2010/2011 Premiership Player of the Season by PFA!

Before 2010/2011 season, Adam was a unheard Scottish midfield who has spend majority of his young career with Scottish premiership giant Rangers and Blackpool FC in the England Championship Division. However, 2010/2011 premiership season has provided a perfect platform for Adam to display his quality as the midfield general in the top level. Adam has great long-range pass, dangerous free-kicks, accurate corner-kicks/penalty kicks and powerful long-range shot.

In fact, Adam can be a perfect replacement for Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso, whose departure 2 seasons ago was never a coincidence for the start of the club's downfall. Without Xabi to direct traffic in the central midfield, Gerrard was forced to drop deep and reduced his chance to play in the advanced AMF role which has gradually proved to be his most ideal position. Now, with the arrival of Adam, Gerrard can be featured in AMF position again.

To me, Adam can be the difference maker for Liverpool FC in the new season. His playmaking ability and set-piece skills can open up an extra dimension in attack. However, due to Adam's lack of speed, he can be vulnerable in defending if he has to be used as a DMF. Like Alonso, Adam probably needs a more defensive minded midfield like Lucas to play alongside with. 4-2-3-1 five midfield formation could be most suitable to fit both Adam and Gerrard in the same starting 11, which could ironically restrict King Kenny from starting 2 strikers in his starting 11.

2011/2012 Season Liverpool New Arrival: No.14 Jordan Henderson

Position: CMF/RMF
Age: 21
Previous Club: Sunderland FC
2010/2011 stats: 37 games 3 goals 4 assists
International Cap: England- 1 Cap
Transfer fee: 20M

Liverpool's 1st summer signing is the shocking 20M acquisition of young England talented midfield Jordan Henderson, who has been relatively unproven in the top level. What has made Liverpool willing to spend 20M on a young unproven player? Jordan Henderson has made premiership debut in 2009/2010 season and took little time to impress Sunderland to make him starting midfield in the 2010/2011 season in which he has produced impressive performance that earned him an international cap for England senior level. Henderson is high-energy, box-to-box midfield in the mood of Gerrard and Lampard. Henderson doesn't have a particular strength in his game, but is rather seen as a complete midfield who can contribute in different areas for the team. He still needs to improve many areas in his game, such as finishing skills. However, his all-actioned diligent game and intelligent positional sense allow him to advance to dangerous areas. In fact, in 2010/2011 season, Henderson was 5th in the premiership in scoring chance creation!

Although Henderson can also play as a right wing, his best position is central midfield as shown in his impressive displays for different junior levels for England national team. However, since Liverpool currently possess many talents in the central midfield, Henderson may be given more playing chance in the right midfield position. Many people believe Liverpool see Henderson as the heir of captain Gerrard as many see Henderson has potential to be new Gerrard in the future. For now, Henderson will be the under-study for Gerrard. 20M high transfer fee definitely is paid for the future, but Henderson should be ready to contribute whenever he got his chance.