The Liverpool Connundrum

Last season, Liverpool did the unthinkable.

With just three games to go, all they needed to win the league was a draw against Chelsea and two wins on the bounce in their last two games.

Then they went on and blew it, and in some style unfortunately.

An unfortunate incident now famously called "Doing the Gerrard" happened, and they lost the title.

Yet they exceeded everyone's expectations by finishing the league in second place, and their attacking brand of football attracted plaudits from across the world. They scored a staggering 101 goals over the length of the season and were a force to be seriously reckoned with.

Luis Suarez, in the peak of his footballing powers had defenders bamboozled in the extreme as to how to contain him. He stormed his way to 31 league goals and was by far the best player in the Premier League.

Teams simply couldn't deal with the pace of Suarez and Sturridge with Sterling also a main factor in their style of play.

Then, like a number of team...Liverpool's future changed in the recent summer transfer window.

Luis Suarez couldn't literally keep the bit between his teeth in the World Cup, and Liverpool known for all their tradition and heritage, decided enough was enough... and cashed in on the Uruguay international.

A 70 million pound transfer to Barcelona was completed weeks later and Suarez got his dream move: A move away from the English press and perhaps a fresh beginning at Barcelona.

To give fair credit to Liverpool, they decided to act fairly quickly following the departure of Suarez.

The trio of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejran Lovren arrived from Southampton. In the attacking department they spent big money on teenager Markovic, and perhaps their stellar signing was in the name of Mario Balotelli.

The question now arises, having spent 120 million on new players, are they really better off as a squad?

The answer unfortunately is a resounding NO.

One look at all the players who have come in at Liverpool would be enough to tell you that they are squad players at best.

Markovic, Lallana, Balotelli...none of them have the potential or guile to take games by the scruff off the neck and win games for Liverpool.

And the results early on this season have vindicated the above point.

There have been encouraging glimpses of the Liverpool of last season at Spurs...but for every good game there seems to be a bad one just around the corner for Liverpool.

The problem Liverpool faced in the window was, their inability to attract a blue-chip attacking player to compensate the loss of Suarez.

They tried in vain to persuade Alexis Sanchez to make the switch from Barcelona, whereas failed inquires were also made into Falcao and even reportedly Benzema.

The point being, if you sell your best player...you better go and buy big. A squad of average players just isn't the answer.

Arsenal struggled when they didn't buy big after Van Persie, and more recently Tottenham faced the same situation after they bought a host of average players to replace Gareth Bale.

Another main flaw in Liverpool's transfer policy is the lack of world class defenders. The Merseyside outfit struggled last season itself conceding the most goals in the top 4...and this season they seem to have failed to address that issue.

And this is perhaps the main reason why Liverpool will struggle this season.

They have lost the goals and attacking play of Suarez...and when you lose a player of that magnitude, the club's priority must be to shore up the defence. Something they clearly haven't done.

They also have to play in the Champions league this season...something which may lead to more injuries in the latter part of this season.

Injuries are something this short on quality squad of Liverpool cannot afford

Then there's Mario Balotelli.

Blessed with immense potential, the Italian must be the most frustrating genius ever.

On the top of his game, there might be only a few better forwards than Balotelli. The problem is, he generally isn't on the top of his game.

Being more of a distraction for his off-field activities, one has to seriously question the impact Balotelli will have to this well-knit Liverpool squad.

Balotelli's arrival has also seen a change in formation with the influential Coutinho being forced to make way in the early matches of the season.

With the squad and the talent at their disposal...Daniel Sturridge seems their best bet for leading Liverpool to another successful season.

To replicate any of last season's form however, the entire Liverpool squad need to deliver...and need to deliver fast. Time is not on their side if they start slowly.

With Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all improving...many of Liverpool's faithful have conceded the fact that a top 4 finish would mean a successful season for the Merseyside outfit.

With no European games and a week's rest for each game Manchester United are perhaps Liverpool's main rivals for a spot in that top 4.

To be fair to Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers, they have turned it around and against the odds many times in the past few seasons... and with the man management of Rodgers, it wouldn't be a surprise if they did manage to have a successful season.

But, they would have to do it without a certain Luis Suarez, which in itself is a hell of a task.