Following a dismal end to an underwhelming season at Liverpool, there will be no Premier League manager under more pressure this summer than Brendan Rodgers.

Indeed, the 6-1 fiasco at Stoke City has seen the Reds finish the campaign in sixth place, whilst eliminations from the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup makes Rodgers the first manager in Anfield history not to win a trophy in his first three years.

In a bid to make up for lost time, it seems the Ulsterman will be working under the ultimatum of qualifying for the Champions League or losing his job next season.

In order to achieve that, however, some upgrades via the transfer market are intrinsically required. But rather worryingly, an inability to make cost-effective signings has been one of the major criticisms of the Rodgers regime, who have spent around £220million on new additions since 2012.

So to ensure Rodgers doesn’t make the same mistakes again, Football Fancast have listed the five signings that would virtually guarantee Liverpool Champions League qualification next season.

PETR CECH

Simon Mignolet has certainly silenced his doubters over the last few months, finishing the campaign with the joint-most clean sheets of any Premier League goalkeeper alongside Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City’s Joe Hart.

But a top class No.1 would make an enormous difference to Liverpool’s 2015/16 campaign and their defence desperately requires a more calming and confident influence between the sticks.

In terms of those realistically available to the Reds via the transfer market this summer, Chelsea’s Petr Cech indisputably tops the list.

The Czech international is one of the most successful goalkeepers in Premier League history, boasting four league titles, the 2012 Champions League title and 333 outings as the Blues’ No.1, but he’s unfortunately found himself stuck behind the prodigious Courtois in the pecking order this season.

Still firmly in his goalkeeping prime at 32 years of age, Cech could still have a decade ahead of him at top level.

Resultantly, however, the Stamford Bridge icon is in hot demand. Alongside Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and PSG have all been mooted as viable suitors by The Express.

CARLOS BACCA

Whilst the issue of a new goalkeeper could probably be put on the backburner until next summer, Brendan Rodgers can’t survive another season without a dependable goalscorer in his squad.

Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge netted just eight Premier League goals between them this term – a long way shy of the latter and Luis Suarez’ collective haul last season – and they’ve now lost the campaign’s leading goalscorer in Steven Gerrard.

Although a lack of Champions League football will limit Liverpool’s recruiting power in that regard this summer, a relatively realistic option comes in the form of Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca – who is on the verge of firing the La Liga outfit to a second consecutive Europa League title.

Indeed, the 28 year-old netted 21 times in all competitions last year as Los Rojiblancos lifted the continental cup but he’s already surpassed that total this season, with Sevilla set to face Dnipro in the final tomorrow evening, bringing his total for the club to 46 goals in 104 appearances.

Furthermore, the Colombian international’s contract includes a £21.5million release clause which should be well within Liverpool’s financial reach. After two consecutive seasons of proficiency, however, Liverpool could soon find themselves eclipsed by some of the continent’s top clubs.

MIRANDA

Despite spending £42million on centre-backs since his Anfield arrival three summers ago, Martin Skrtel remains the best centre-half at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal, with expensive additions Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren both leaving a lot to be desired.

He may not fit the FSG model or offer Liverpool much longevity at the age of 30, but Atletico Madrid’s Miranda remains an interesting solution.

He’s been at the heart of the club’s successes under Diego Simeone, making 115 league appearances whilst the Mattress Makers marched their way to a Copa del Rey, a Europa League title, a UEFA Super Cup and a La Liga title since summer 2011, in the process proving his capabilities at the top end of the game.

He’s not the most eloquent of defenders but perhaps that’s what Liverpool need; an undisputed master of the basics who can reduce their 30 defensive errors made this term – which the second highest amount in the Premier League after Everton.

According to the tabloids, the Brazil international could leave Vincente Calderon this summer with his contract entering its final year. Atletico can always be pressed into selling for loose change due to their enormous debts, and they’ve already unearthed a long-term successor in wonder-kid Jose Giminez.

The Express moot Chelsea and Manchester United as Miranda’s likeliest suitors. But if they’re put off by the South American’s age, Liverpool will have a fantastic opportunity to swoop in.

KI SUNG YUENG

A Premier League star that’s dipped surprisingly under the radar this season despite his superlative form, Liverpool’s midfield needs another body thrown into the mix in the absence of Steven Gerrard and Ki Sung Yueng of Swansea City would be a very interesting candidate.

He’s the subtle yet intrinsic metronome of the Swansea engine room, setting the direction and pace of their build-up play at the base of midfield in a similar manner to Manchester United’s Michael Carrick, this season boasting a pass completion rate of 89.7%.

But unlike the England star, the 26 year-old makes great use of himself going forward, this term finishing up as the Welsh outfit’s top scorer – barring now-Manchester City star Wilfried Bony – with eight goals in 33 Premier League outings.

The South Korean international may not be as decorated as some of the other suggestions on this list but after such a fantastic campaign at the Liberty Stadium, helping Swansea record their highest points total of the Premier League era, he looks more than ready for the next level.

Liverpool, who share a similar possession-based, technically-demanding philosophy with the Welsh club, would suit the midfielder better than most top Premier League sides.

Having signed a four-year contract extension last summer, however, Garry Monk’s side are under no immediate obligation to sell.

PEDRO

Reportedly available for just £7million, Barcelona Pedro is set to become one of the best-value-for-money forwards on the market this summer.

The winger-forward has done it and won it all throughout his Barcelona and Spain careers, namely lifting five La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, generating a return of 114 goals in 365 appearances.

At 27 years of age, he’s still firmly within his prime, but his Nou Camp tenure seems set for an abrupt end this summer after slumping behind £75million signing Luis Suarez in the pecking order, with just a year remaining on his current contract.

Brendan Rodgers was hell-bent on signing Alexis Sanchez as the former Anfield talisman’s replacement last summer and Pedro would be a more than effective surrogate, sharing his team-mate’s blend of industry, trickery, pace and netting prowess.

Liverpool have already been mooted as potential suitors, but they face Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Pedro’s signature.