COMMENT: Liverpool needs a sure thing.
Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi... the signing spree has been exciting. But it's all 'what ifs' at the moment. It could be a great year for Liverpool - if everything clicks.
James Milner is a sure thing. You know what you're getting with the former Manchester City midfielder. He'll be a consistent presence in the middle of Liverpool's midfield.
But Ings arrives after just the one season of Premier League football under his belt. No matter how spectacular it was, he joins Liverpool with it all to prove. Origi will begin even further back. Another youngster with great potential, by his own admission Origi had to face down critics at Lille last season as he struggled for goals and form.
Firmino could be an upgrade on wantaway Raheem Sterling. But no matter the reputation he built for himself in Germany with Hoffenheim, succeeding in the Premier League is an altogether different matter.
At the back, Nathaniel Clyne does appear a good bet. But unlike Milner, he's not experienced the expectations of a club the size of Liverpool before. Playing with England should help, though it was a struggle for former Southampton teammate Rickie Lambert last season.
When Liverpool do (finally) accept Manchester City's offer for Sterling, they're expected to use the money on Aston Villa centre-forward Christian Benteke. John Aldridge, the former Reds striker, believes Benteke "would guarantee" Liverpool "20 goals a season". But would you put money on that, John?
On paper, landing Benteke could be that missing piece in the jigsaw for Rodgers. Lambert didn't work. Mario Balotelli just wasn't suited. Benteke is the centre-forward that would provide the balance Rodgers' 4-3-3 system has lacked since Luis Suarez's departure.
Think Danny Graham at Swansea City. Under Rodgers, Graham played his way to the fringes of the England squad as the apex in the then Swans manager's 4-3-3 formation. He's never played better in his career. It really could all fall into place for Rodgers and Benteke.
But it's still all 'what ifs'. The Belgian, though his campaign was hit by injury, was inconsistent - at best - last season. It's understandable that FSG, Liverpool's owners, are reluctant to meet his £32.5 million buyout clause. But if they want to buy inside the Premier League, Liverpool must expect to pay premium price.
On potential, Benteke is a £32.5 million player. No question. But on last season's form, you couldn't argue the case.
Just as much as Rodgers needs to find a solution to Suarez's sale, he also must address his defence. Clyne could be anything and everyone in football hopes Jon Flanagan can get back to his best. But centrally, Rodgers still has a dilemma.
Martin Skrtel's U-turn is a win for the manager. All signs were that last season would be his final campaign in a Reds shirt. To talk the defender around is a credit to Rodgers.
But at centre-half, if he is to buy, is where Rodgers can't gamble with potential. He will hope Dejan Lovren has overcome his first season blues. But like with Daniel Sturridge, he can't wait around hoping the Croat finds some consistency.
Rodgers needs a sure thing at the back. It doesn't have to be a spectacular name. Just look at what Stephane Henchoz brought to the club. He needs a centre-half with several years of consistent Premier League football under his belt.
There's still many at the King Power stadium pinching themselves that Leicester City get another shot at the Premier League. Jamie Vardy and Esteban Cambiasso dominated the headlines, but the Foxes would not have stayed up if Robert Huth hadn't arrived in January.
You just wonder what sort of impact Huth, with all his experience, could've made at Anfield in the second-half of last season.
The German has now signed with Leicester permanently from Stoke City. But there's others out there.
Ashley Williams, the Swansea City captain, would be ideal. He and Rodgers go back some way. The Welshman, 30, is captain of club and country. And after four years in the Premier League, has proven himself one of competition's most consistent defensive performers.
As much as everything could fall into place with Benteke's arrival, finding a sure thing for his back four must be a priority for Rodgers.
For all the names coming through the Shankly Gates this summer, even if they must pay over the odds, Williams (like Milner) would be the bedrock a new era can be built upon.
