I think that guys like Gotze and Reus are wishful thinking. They play for better clubs, make lots of money, and have no real reason to move to Liverpool. Unless they are told they are not wanted/needed and told they can seek a move Liverpool have no chance IMO, and on top of it there'd be better clubs than us at the moment that would be in on those players if that were the case.
Where we're going to have to look, at least until we're back in the CL consistently, the best players outside of the teams that already have guaranteed CL/trophy contention and that wouldn't be bought by bigger/better teams than us, but who also have room to grow and become top players (like Suarez, Coutinho, Sturridge, Torres, etc.).
It's sad, but right now we need to develop top players as it'll always be tough with our past decade of 'mediocrity' to just buy an elite player over another team that can simply offer more than history.
I'd think it would have been more concerning that Rodgers just for the most part didn't bring in quality players, and was mediocre at managing them. Like LITN I don't believe in intangibles, at least not "heart", "soul", "attitude", and the like.
Rogers failed in his transfer dealings for sure, but he wasn't a mediocre manager. He was quite a good coach and tactician and was actually pretty successful with what he had at his disposal all things considered. All of his players talked highly of him (especially Suarez and Gerrard) in that respect as well.