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There was plenty to be impressed about in Liverpool's win over Tottenham. The marauding Alberto Moreno; the energetic Jordan Henderson; the dangerous, decisive trident of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli.

The impressiveness spilled off the pitch, too. On the White Hart Lane bench sat a two-time Premier League winner, two 20-year-olds who have played 36 European games combined, a midfielder considered integral to the Brazilian national team and a striker who scored 28 goals over the past two seasons.

Liverpool have never had so many options and still have Adam Lallana and Jon Flanagan to return from injury, as well as a potential new goalkeeper to give competition to Simon Mignolet.

This is why Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool could relax on transfer deadline day. As clubs across the country partook in a demolition derby under a garish yellow hue, the Reds had already parked their car without a scratch on the bonnet, their summer's work done.

It feels like an overnight transformation – or, at least, a transformation in one transfer window alone – but the quality throughout the squad is a culmination of years of turmoil.

The trip to Spurs preceded the international break – a time to ruminate and reflect, but also a time to panic over the possibility of players returning to Anfield injured.

A three-week lay-off for Sturridge, as well as a worry over Joe Allen and a potential six-week injury to Emre Can, will never be welcome. But a glance at who could fill their absence is no longer cause for furrowed brows.

Since August 2009, the Reds have had four managers in the dugout and two sets of owners. They have watched a potential empire crumble, rotten at the foundations; they have held firm and watched it be rebuilt, despite claims it was being done all wrong.

Here is the fall and rise of Liverpool, told through the benches they fielded over the past five years. From Jay Spearing to Emre Can and Andrea Dossena to Lazar Markovic, it has been a rocky road for the Reds to get where they are now.

Tottenham v Liverpool, 16 August 2009

(Image: Mike Price)

Diego Cavalieri, Martin Kelly, Andrea Dossena, Daniel Ayala, Jay Spearing, Yossi Benayoun, Andriy Voronin

Rafael Benitez's side had finished second the season before, just four points behind Manchester United. The summer sale of Xabi Alonso was a setback, so too the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa; the replacements Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson were brought in for the way the deals were structured as much as their footballing ability as Tom Hicks and George Gillett began to cut down on costs.

It meant Kelly, Spearing and Ayala – three players yet to play a minute of Premier League football – sat on the bench, while maligned duo Dossena and Voronin also took their spots. Only Benayoun, with eight league goals the season before, represented proven quality.

Stoke v Liverpool, 16 January 2010

(Image: Mike Price)

Diego Cavalieri, Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing, Alberto Aquilani, Albert Riera, Maxi Rodriguez, Dani Pacheco

The later arrivals of Sotirios Kyrgiakos (in the summer) and Maxi (in the winter) swelled the squad slightly, with the Argentine midfielder on the bench.

Right back Darby, one of the bright hopes of the youth side, had yet to play a minute in the Premier League, lined up alongside Dani Pacheco – an 18-year-old product of Barcelona's youth squad who had caused fans to clamour for his first team inclusion. Spearing, now with three Premier League appearances, was the midfield option alongside Aquilani, who was struggling for fitness and form.

Riera, who had been a big part of the Reds' second-placed finish the previous season, had been sparingly used, but was arguably the likeliest source of goals out of the seven substitutes.

Manchester United v Liverpool, 21 March 2010

(Image: Mike Price)

Diego Cavalieri, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Martin Kelly, Alberto Aquilani, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel, David N'Gog

The final months of Benitez's reign saw Greek defender Kyrgiakos back on the bench after a run in the side at the start of 2010, while Kelly had impressed against Lyon earlier in the campaign and was trusted on the bench.

Aquilani, with just eight starts, was already seeing his Anfield career wind down, likewise Benayoun, albeit the Israeli had a bigger role in the first team.

The attacking duo of N'Gog and Babel were a story of failed potential. For Babel, he had not performed as a £11.5m signing should, the expectancy from his time as a teenager at Ajax too high to meet. N'Gog, meanwhile, was a £1.5m signing from Paris St-Germain in 2008 and brought in because of what he could become; less than two years later, he was now relied upon as a genuine option.

Manchester City v Liverpool, 23 August 2010

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Fabio Aurelio, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Christian Poulsen, Dani Pacheco, Maxi Rodriguez, Ryan Babel

After finishing seventh the previous season, Benitez was displaced from the Anfield dugout, replaced by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. There were big changes off the field too, with eight new players arriving, with four first team players – including Javier Mascherano – departing.

With the purchase of Paul Konchesky, Aurelio – who, curiously, left the club that summer before re-signing with them – was named as a substitute.

New signings Brad Jones and Christian Poulsen took their place on the bench, while Maxi, Babel and Pacheco – with a combined five league goals between them in 2009/10 – offered Hodgson attacking options.

Liverpool v Chelsea, 7 November 2010

Martin Hansen, Danny Wilson, Jay Spearing, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey, Milan Jovanovic, David N'Gog

A month earlier, Liverpool had finally been released from the tyrannical shackles of Hicks and Gillett, with Fenway Sports Group buying the club.

Young Danish goalkeeper Hansen has recently been called up as back-up after an injury to Brad Jones; he, alongside summer signing Wilson, were yet to play a minute of Premier League football.

Spearing had now become a regular member of the match day squad, but was still restricted to cup appearances (he would make his first league appearance in this game). Poulsen, a similar player to Spearing, had become a substitute after his early flirtation as a first-team player under Hodgson; likewise, summer Bosman signing Jovanovic had dropped down to the bench too and was the go-to forward alongside N'Gog.

Shelvey, 18, had featured in four games since joining that summer – starting home and away to Napoli in the Europa League – and gave the Reds something in midfield.

Liverpool v Tottenham, 15 May 2011

(Image: Mike Price)

Peter Gulacsi, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Jack Robinson, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey, David N'Gog

So much can change in six months or, indeed, in the space of one. After FSG's first January transfer window saw Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll arrive, Fernando Torres and Babel leave, and the hiring and firing of Kenny Dalglish and Hodgson, the Reds looked to put the hideous past behind them.

But in the penultimate game with Spurs, with Europa League football still a possibility, the bench was still a fractious bunch. Hungarian goalkeeper Gulacsi was a perennial bench-warmer, while Jack Robinson – promoted into the first-team squad along with Jon Flanagan – was a promising full back. Kyrgiakos continued to make up the defensive side.

Poulsen remained on the bench and was soon to be sold (along with Hodgson stalwarts Konchesky and Jovanovic). The same fate awaited Cole and N'Gog, with Shelvey – frequently used under Dalglish in his first five months – the only real long-term creative player in reserve.

Liverpool v Sunderland, 13 August 2011

(Image: Mike Price)

Alexander Doni, Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson, Raul Meireles, Jay Spearing, Dirk Kuyt, David N'Gog

Now is the summer of the Reds' discontent. Seven players arrive in the summer ahead of Dalglish's first full season, while plenty were sold as well, Anfield's revolving door swinging viciously.

It meant on the opening day of the 2011/12 season, Doni – a Brazilian international goalkeeper – took to the bench, while young full backs Kelly and Robinson offered defensive reinforcements.

Spearing, now with 27 appearances for the Reds, sat beside Portuguese international midfielder Raul Meireles, who had impressed in spells in his first season at the club but was soon to join Chelsea.

With Suarez and Carroll's partnership looking to blossom properly, Kuyt now gave experience and quality from the bench – and would soon be joined by Craig Bellamy. N'Gog, after three seasons and 53 appearances as a sub, sat in the Anfield dugout for the final time before his move to Bolton.

Liverpool v Wigan, 24 March 2012

(Image: Mike Price)

Alexander Doni, Fabio Aurelio, Sebastian Coates, Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling, Nathan Eccleston, Andy Carroll

A lot had changed for Dalglish between August and March, with a number of his big-money signings struggling to perform – putting his own role, as well as the entire club's transfer policy, under scrutiny.

That, combined with progress in the cup competitions, made for an inconsistent squad selection.

Aurelio was rarely used under Dalglish – mostly due to injury – but came in as understudy to Jose Enrique towards the end of the season. Sebastian Coates, who was touted as one of the most promising centre backs in world football and voted Copa America 2011's best young player, continued his first season in English football learning on the bench.

Coates was part of a youthful subs bench. Carroll – still only 23 - had been troubled by his £35m price tag and spent some time on the bench with Kuyt and Bellamy intermittently replacing him. But Shelvey, Sterling and Eccleston represented the future of Liverpool.

It would be 17-year-old Sterling's first involvement in the first team squad, but 21-year-old Eccleston's last.

West Brom v Liverpool, 18 August 2012

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole, Charlie Adam , Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, Andy Carroll

The two cup finals reached by Dalglish was not enough to save his job and Brendan Rodgers became the Reds' fourth manager in four years. He brought with him a new keep-ball philosophy, as well as Joe Allen and Fabio Borini – two players he had worked with at Swansea.

Maxi, Bellamy and Kuyt departed, leaving the Reds short of striking options, with Carroll unfancied and put on the bench on the opening day - he would move to West Ham on loan later that month.

Carragher only featured in 21 league games in 2011/12, and the veteran was regarded as the perfect third-choice centre back for Rodgers. In an otherwise attacking reserve list, Rodgers named Adam, Cole and Henderson as subs – three midfielders Rodgers would want to see leave before the end of the summer, with only Henderson managing to stay.

Shelvey, prevalent in the final few weeks of Dalglish's reign, remained a long-term option.

Liverpool v Newcastle, 4 November 2012

(Image: Mike Price)

Peter Gulasci, Sebastian Coates, Jamie Carragher, Oussama Assaidi, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Jonjo Shelvey

Despite seeing four forward players depart, Liverpool failed in their attempts in signing a replacement – otherwise known as Clint Dempsey - before the deadline. It meant Rodgers spent the first few months of his Anfield career without a recognised striker in reserve. He turned to teenagers Sterling and Suso to support Suarez; both, at this point, had been named in the starting 11 more times than as substitutes.

Coates and Carragher were ample replacements for Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel if needed. Henderson remained an unwanted but necessary figure, but would soon play his way into the starting line-up, but £20m man Downing was struggling to convince the manager of his usefulness.

Shelvey remained the Reds' most attacking option in reserve, while Assaidi – a summer signing from Heerenveen - had made just two league appearances.

Manchester City v Liverpool, 3 February 2013

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Martin Skrtel, Andre Wisdom, Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling, Jonjo Shelvey, Fabio Borini

January signings Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge gave the Reds some much needed depth in forward positions, with Sterling now dropping down to the bench alongside Borini and Allen.

Changes were afoot at the back too, with Skrtel now dropping out and Carragher coming in, while Wisdom was young but could play both centre back and full back and already had 18 first team starts under him.

It was a youthful bench but one not struggling for experience. Wisdom, Allen, Sterling, Shelvey and Borini were all under 23 but had played both at home and abroad. But Shelvey would eventually fail to convince the club he was what was required going forward and would be sold the following summer.

Liverpool v Stoke, August 17 2013

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Andre Wisdom, Luis Alberto, Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling, Jordon Ibe, Fabio Borini

Rodgers' second season saw eight new arrivals – although only four had signed at this point – but Carroll, Shelvey, Downing and Spearing all left for good.

Wisdom started just one game from February onwards in 2013 and would soon move to Derby County on loan, but he received the nod over Skrtel.

Again, the options available to Rodgers were those of youth, with new signing Luis Alberto – just seven first team appearances with Sevilla to his name – on the bench on the opening day.

Allen, Sterling and Borini remained on the bench – Spanish striker Iago Aspas got the nod to start – with 17-year-old Ibe, so impressive on his debut against QPR on the final day of the previous season, also available to be called upon.

Liverpool v West Ham, December 7 2013

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Aly Cissokho, Martin Kelly, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto, Victor Moses, Iago Aspas

Cissokho and Moses had joined the Reds on loan, but neither had managed to make a desired impact and found themselves on the bench, alongside Spanish duo Aspas and Luis Alberto.

Moses, having started his first six games, had only started one since; Aspas and Alberto had made just a combined 14 appearances with no goals scored.

On the defensive side, Cissokho was joined by Kelly, who had come off the bench just twice all season; Lucas was not a usual substitute in the first half of the season, but would soon be relegated to the bench in 2014.

Liverpool v Manchester City, April 13 2014

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Victor Moses, Iago Aspas

The biggest game at Anfield in 25 years also highlighted how sparse Rodgers' options were in the dugout. Mamadou Sakho, signed from Paris St-Germain in the summer, had now formed a partnership with Skrtel, meaning Toure and Agger – an experienced duo – waiting to be called upon.

In midfield, Lucas and Allen were both players associated more with their defensive work than attacking use, although both would be required to display the latter when Liverpool adopted a diamond formation towards the end of the season. At this point, however, Allen had never scored for Liverpool; Lucas had not scored since 2010.

Aspas had scored at this point – at home to Oldham in the FA Cup – but Rodgers did not regard him as a reliable asset from the bench; Moses, meanwhile, had not started a league game since the December defeat to Hull.

Tottenham v Liverpool, August 31 2014

(Image: Mike Price)

Brad Jones, Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure, Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Rickie Lambert

After finishing second – but selling prized asset Suarez for £75m – the Reds went on a spending spree to right the wrongs of the previous transfer windows.

It meant Enrique, who spent most of 2013/14 injured, was £12m man Alberto Moreno's back-up. Much-maligned Toure was chosen as centre back, although one of Skrtel or Sakho will inevitably take his place. The versatility of Germany Under-21 international Can also added a depth to both the defence and midfield.

Coutinho, one of the Reds' best players in 2013/14, provided an option from the bench (which wouldn't actually be used), while Markovic – a Serbian international and Portuguese title winner with Benfica – gave Rodgers a decision to make in an attacking sense.

Lambert, with 28 goals in the past two seasons at Southampton, was brought to offer a different style of play to the Reds' other forwards.

And the future...?

Victor Valdes, Jon Flanagan, Mamadou Sakho, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana, Mario Balotelli

Who knows what the future holds for the Reds in the transfer market. But the reported interest in goalkeeper Valdes could become something more, while Flanagan is due back soon and able to play either left back or right back.

Can, Markovic and Lallana are three of the summer signings, but could easily be interchanged with Allen, Sterling and Coutinho; likewise Balotelli for Sturridge, if Rodgers decides to play one up front.

The Reds have come a long way from the unplayed Ayala, Spearing and Kelly. The task now is to maintain it.