With Liverpool Football Club being one of the most active teams of the Premiership in this season’s now closed transfer window, how does the current squad compare to last season? Putting aside the fact that Fernando Torres will once again be their sole striker you have to wonder if the “world class players” the Spaniard hinted at are present at Anfield and if this squad can do better than last season’s dismal 7th place finish.

Since coming in to manage Liverpool earlier in the pre-season, Roy Hodgson has added and subtracted from the Liverpool squad with mixed result. He’s made key additions in the form of Raul Meireles, Paul Konchesky and Joe Cole who will undoubtedly bring something to the club. On the opposite end of the scale however departures for Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun have left spaces which the former Fulham manager will need to address.

In goals Liverpool have one of the world’s finest keepers in Pepe Reina. The charismatic Spaniard is of unquestionable class despite his rare error against Arsenal. Diego Cavalieri has said goodbye to the club with Hodgson opting for the young English keeper Brad Jones as a back up. Unless Reina becomes injured, Liverpool fans need not fret.

Defense is an area that has often divided Liverpool fans for some time now, with the left back position being a spotlight for the last few months. Last season saw Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio alternating roles with the Argentine being the preferred choice. With Insua now on loan and Andrea Dossena a forgotten memory the left back position has been briefly occupied by Daniel Agger, who despite his best efforts was ineffective. To address the problem Hodgson has brought in Paul Konchesky from Fulham. The experienced left-back has worked under Hodgson before and will relish the opportunity to play for Liverpool and is seen as a consistent enough performer to warrant a place in Liverpool’s starting lineup. Right back though has been occupied by Glen Johnson who has often been praised for his forward movement and equally dismissed for his oft suspect defending. He is one of the few players in the Liverpool squad able to whip in a decent cross. Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Dan Agger constitute what should be Liverpool’s best defensive options with Agger and Carragher paring up and Skrtel covering for both. The aerial ability of these three defenders in noteworthy and the experience and die hard attitude Carragher has is the driving force behind the entire defensive unit.