Spine of the team

The spine of the team is the core of the line up. It is the basis in which you build your team around the integral players in each defense, midfield and attack as well as the goalkeeper. One of the reasons that Liverpool gaining a top four finish despite nearly lifting the 19th League title last season is due to a damaged spine of the team.

Chelsea

There is a reason that Chelsea are still unbeaten so far this season, and that is because they have one of the strongest spines in the league. The spine of Chelsea's team is:

• GK - Courtois
• DF - Terry
• MF - Fabregas
• FWD - Costa

Mourinho recruited well in the summer, he bought Fabregas and Costa and improved the spine of his Chelsea side. He can now build around this strong group of players for seasons to come, with all of them apart from Terry no older than 28. Terry will be the only player in the spine of the team that Chelsea will be changing potentially at the end of this season or the next, but you know with the financial power that Abramovic brings that they will recruit a world class centre-back to their ranks.

Manchester City

The team that pipped Liverpool to the title last season done it for a reason. Despite their inability to cope in Europe they have one of the best spine's in Europe and in the BPL. Their spine is:

• GK - Hart
• DF - Kompany
• MF - Toure
• FWD - Aguero

Hart did have some troubled times last season when he had that period were Pantilimon was starting over England's number one. However he does remain one of the best goalkeepers in the league and was the reason that is took a late Jerome Boateng strike for Bayern Munchen to beat City in the Champions League after a string of crucial saves. Kompany is without a doubt the best defender in the league and Toure's performances last season made him the best midfielder in the league. Aguero would have been the best forward had it not been for the deadly partnership of Suarez and Sturridge, but after scoring four against Tottenham he is proving that he is now the best striker in the league and one of the best in Europe.

Liverpool

The spine to Liverpool's team is not one that Rodgers can rely on to win games and build his Liverpool team around. The spine of Liverpool is:

• GK - Mignolet
• DF - Skrtel
• MF - Gerrard
• FWD - Sturridge

Excluding Gerrard, not one of the other players who are the core of Rodgers' Liverpool would be able to hold a starting place in either Chelsea or Man City. Mignolet is a great shot stopper but it is the only positive aspect of his game and he is too much of a liability and he will either need another quality goalkeeper in the side for competition to up his game or move on come the end of the season. 

Skrtel is a player that doesn't receive the criticism he needs that might help him realise that he needs to change his game in order to become a great centre-back but time is not something he has as he is 29 and will turn 30 come December. Gerrard has always been the name that never leaves the team sheet but performances this season show that maybe it's time to finally start looking for his replacement and not build the team around his talent. Finally Sturridge was without a doubt one of the best strikers in the league last season scoring the second highest amount of goals behind Suarez despite picking up an injury mid way through the season. However his injury concerns show that he is not always going to be in the side and perhaps Liverpool need another striker that they can build the team around.

Improvements

There are some improvements that need to be made in order to make Liverpool title contenders for the coming seasons. The signings this season are mostly squad players and some are starting players such as Moreno, Lovren and Balotelli. However I don't think any of these players will become crucial to the spine of the team.

Goalkeeper

1. Victor Valdes is a player that Liverpool are constantly being linked with and will not cost a penny as he is a free agent after leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. He is 32 years-old but he still has a few good years left in him and can be the goalkeeper Liverpool can rely on to keep the shots out and improve the clean sheet record.

2. Bernd Leno is a 21 year-old goalkeeper who plays his trade at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. He is a very consistent goalkeeper and has shown his talents in the Champions League last season, he could have a similar impact that De Gea has had at Manchester United and become the starting keeper' for years to come.

Defender

1. The first centre-back who I think Liverpool can sign if they spend big and Borussia Dortmund so far this season are struggling. Mats Hummels is one of the best in the world and is the main defender for the German national team. He would be a signing that would excite fans and a great partner for Dejan Lovren.

2. The next centre-back also plays for Borussia Dortmund and that is Nevan Subotic. The Serbian defender is on the fringes at the German club as they opt to start Papastathopolous. He formed a solid partnership with Hummels before the arrival of the Greek centre-back and signing for Liverpool could be the right move to revive his career. 

Midfielder

1. A player that I have mentioned previously is Arturo Vidal, he is player who is reportedly unsettled in Turin and can be a big hit in the BPL. He will cost a lot of money around £35m and will be player that most likely would be a target for the summer, so gaining a top four place would be crucial towards signing him.

2. A player that has previous BPL experience at Newcastle and is reportedly unhappy at PSG is Yohan Cabaye. He was one of the Premier League's best midfielders during his time at Newcastle and could be available for a cut price deal if PSG are willing to sell. He can be a player that Rodgers can build the midfield around, short-term at least.

Forward

1. One ex Real Madrid forward who is reportedly unsettled at the lack of Champions League football in Naples is Gonzalo Higuain. He has once again reportedly said that he would not move to Liverpool, but money is always a factor and a player who can score consistently and available for around £30m is a player that Liverpool can build their team around.