Liverpool’s Summer Transfer Strategy Needs To Be Carefully Planned | OneFootball

It seemed for all intents and purposes that Liverpool couldn’t fail to win silverware this season and were many people’s favourite’s to win what would have been a consecutive Premier League title.

Most of the reasons for this was the fact that they didn’t only strengthen their squad from last term; they, on paper at least assembled a starting, attacking quartet that many thought would blow other teams away.

Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak resembled nearly £320 million worth of outlay (with two British transfer records broken in the process) to keep Mohammed Salah company, with the likes’ of Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai waiting in the wings as quality rotation options.

However, from their first game of the season, which was the Community Shield game against Crystal Palace; a match they were expected to win but lost on penalties, they were heavily exposed in one obvious area. At central defence, they were completely chaotic; a trait that has continued all season and seen them scrapping for a place in the top four.

Methodical Approach To Transfer Window Is Needed

All told, the club spent an eye-watering £400 million plus last summer; a figure that shook the rest of the league – and Europe for that matter, though it is Arsenal who arguably showed them how it is done.

Strengthening across the park with quality in depth, the Gunners spent around £150 million less and got way more for their buck. It is no coincidence they lead the Premier League title race. This is what Liverpool needs to do.

While fans might get better enjoyment from playing charms and clovers than they have watching the Reds’ rearguard this season, the recruitment team needs to be well prepared.

To have any chance of bouncing straight back, the club (if they are able to ), needs considerable upgrades in key positions. Centre-back is certainly a key area of concern. Virgil Van Dijk is no longer a starter, Ibrahim Konate is far from being world class and their back-up options are, just that. Unlucky to miss out on Marc Guehi; he would have been a logical and quality solution, but you have to move on. Two are needed.

You could argue that the centre of the park needs freshening up. Ryan Gravenberch has looked a shadow of the player he was last season, while Alexis Mac Allister is arguably hit and miss.

That is at least three new signings in positions that can make all the difference next season, but then, when looking at the quality depth Liverpool have compared to Arsenal, there is a considerable gulf.

Salah Replacement Needed

The writing seems to be effectively on the wall concerning the Egyptian, with a move to Saudi Arabia rumoured, despite having only signed a new contract nearly 12 months ago.

He has struggled this season, despite British record signing Isak having been injured, though the whole team has looked uninspired and like they are missing a cutting edge, with Ekitike arguably being the club’s only bright spark.

There will likely be a number of options on the club’s list and it will depend on the profile of player they want; whether a rough diamond, or someone slightly more established but with potential; essentially what Salah was when Jurgen Klopp signed him for the Reds.