Jamie Carragher ‘Disagrees’ with Liverpool Transfer Theory | OneFootball

Jamie Carragher Backs Liverpool Transfer Priorities after Deadline Day Drama

Liverpool’s transfer window concluded with equal measures of frustration and excitement, and as usual, Jamie Carragher has wasted little time offering his verdict. The club failed in their late pursuit of Marc Guehi, but the disappointment was swiftly overshadowed by the record-breaking arrival of Alexander Isak. For Carragher, the debate about which position was more pressing has a clear answer.

Carragher Argues Striker Signing was Vital

Carragher explained on Sky Sports that Liverpool’s lack of options up front meant a new striker was non-negotiable. He dismissed the idea that Guehi was the more important target.

“There was a lot of talk over the summer, or certainly over the last couple of weeks, saying that Marc Guehi was actually more important than bringing Isak in. I don’t agree with that at all, actually.

“Liverpool only had one centre-forward, so they needed to buy a striker. There was no doubt that Liverpool had to bring in a striker, whether it was Isak or not.”

The £125m fee for Isak has already become the headline story of the window, but Carragher insists the logic was sound. Liverpool, he said, already had four centre-backs available, even if there are legitimate doubts about the readiness of Joe Gomez and teenager Leoni.

Balance in Arne Slot’s Liverpool Squad

Arne Slot begins his second season as Liverpool manager with his squad in stronger shape than at any point in the summer. Having delivered the Premier League title at the first attempt, he now has two recognised strikers, Isak and Hugo Ekitike, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as first-choice centre-backs.

“Liverpool have numbers at centre-back; it’s just whether they have the quality,” Carragher noted. “Liverpool still need a centre-back, but it wasn’t as imperative as getting in a striker. That was far more important, because there’s no way Hugo Ekitike could’ve led the line for Liverpool alone between now and Christmas.”

The victory over Arsenal last weekend highlighted both resilience and depth, with Gomez stepping in for Konate and showing glimpses of the player who once looked destined to be a regular starter.

Future Options in Defence

While Guehi did not arrive before the deadline, the door remains open for a renewed approach in January. Crystal Palace’s refusal to sell without securing a replacement was the key stumbling block, but Liverpool may well revisit the situation if injuries expose a lack of depth in central defence.

For now, Slot will rely on Van Dijk and Konate, while hoping Gomez and Leoni can provide cover. As Carragher pointed out, the key was to avoid being left short in attack, and with Isak now in the squad, Liverpool look better equipped to challenge across all competitions.

Strong Attacking Depth Gives Optimism

The prospect of combining Isak with Ekitike, alongside Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah and Florian Wirtz, has injected optimism into the Liverpool fanbase. The manager now has genuine flexibility in attack, something that was sorely missing in previous campaigns when injuries hit hard.

As the dust settles on a hectic transfer deadline day, Carragher’s stance reflects a pragmatic view. Liverpool may revisit their defensive targets in the future, but for now, the priority was always clear: secure a striker capable of leading the line. With that box ticked, Slot can prepare for the months ahead with renewed confidence and the backing of a squad that looks balanced in both numbers and quality.