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Brendan Rodgers has set out his bold plans to make Liverpool great again.

And the Reds boss believes after turning things around with a fine second half to this season’s campaign, it is evolution, not revolution that will allow the club to regain their position at the summit of the English game.

After a poor start to the campaign where Liverpool recorded barely a point a game in their first 14 matches to leave them 12th, they have been the third-best team in the Premier League over the last 15 games.

The Anfield side have averaged more than two points a match since the start of December - only unstoppable league leaders Manchester United and high-flying Spurs, who Liverpool beat on Sunday, have done better.

That stat has lead Rodgers to confidently predict that a small injection of quality is all it will take to allow the Kop club to make the final step back towards the top.

“It is quality we are after now, not quantity," said Rodgers, holding up Liverpool's two January signings, Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, as examples of the standard of player he has in mind.

"We see the impact of Coutinho, and Sturridge’s quality, in January. That’s what we’re looking for.

(Image: Andrew Powell)

“If we bring in another three or four players of that quality, add that to what we have got, then we have got a strong squad that can compete.

“You look at what we have done this season, and the progression is there to see. In our first 14 games, we were only 12th in the table, but our last 14 we are third best - and that is what we expected.

“It was all about the players bedding in and coming to terms to what we are after, and that takes time. I think you can see we are getting there now, and we have a really strong squad already.”

Whilst Rodgers doesn’t need major surgery to his squad this summer, he knows he still must carry out something of a rebuilding programme to his defence, with Jamie Carragher retiring at the end of the campaign.

He has already identified several targets, and is likely to bring in two new defenders, a new goalkeeper and quite possibly a holding midfielder and a more forward to bolster a squad that, he admits, could also see some more departures.

“Ideally, in terms of squad numbers, I’m looking that we have between 20 and 22 - two players in every position and your three goalkeepers,” he explained.

“Then, below that, having young players who can support that. We have already had a real good year with the young players this year to assess where they are at with their development.

“There is no doubt there is a natural rebuilding that will come with the likes of Carra going.

"I am happy with the squad. if I can then put another three or four quality players into it.

“Obviously, naturally, there might be people who aren’t playing who might want to think about going elsewhere, but at the moment it’s a strong squad and we can build on it with a good summer.”

Rodgers admits he struggled last summer to identify the players he required, because he simply didn’t have time to assess where he was short - nor the backroom staff to find the quality required - after being hired at the start of June.

Liverpool have since put together a new technical staff that has already impressed with the purchase of Coutinho, and the manager expects the good work to bear fruit with a real top four challenge next season.

“What is important is there is a lot of terrific work going on behind the scenes with the scouting department getting those lists together,” he explained. “We never had that last summer.

"What I didn’t want to do was to waste the club’s money. We did not have the time to be extensive in our research - and that was the big issue.

“We are much better placed now. There is great collaboration that goes on between all the departments.

"January was a productive window for us and hopefully, if we do similar in the summer, then it’s going to be a real good place for us.”

Kop shop: Who's on Rodgers' summer hit-list?

Ashley Williams A centre-half is the biggest priority, and Swansea captain Williams has been the most consistent at the position in the Premier League this season.

Stefan De Vrij Rodgers also wants a young centre-back with real promise, and 21-year-old De Vrij has shown his class at Feyenoord to earn a call-up to the Holland international squad.

Asmir Begovic A goalkeeper is another urgent requirement. With David De Gea's good recent form making Manchester United less likely to bid for the Stoke star, Liverpool could sneak in.

Thomas Ince Almost returned to Anfield in January, and it seems certain Blackpool's England U21 winger will add to the youthful promise of Liverpool's squad by completing a move this summer.

Aly Cissokho French left-back will be available at the end of the season after failing to settle at Valencia. His ability to cover all positions along the back line could inspire a move.

Xabi Alonso A firm Anfield favourite. Rodgers wants some experience in his squad, so could persuade a skeptical board to table a cheeky bid for the Real Madrid midfielder.