Liverpool branded ’embarrassing’ as ‘joke’ transfer method sees Klopp lose another top target
Jurgen Klopp looking unhappy
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has branded the club’s methods this transfer window “embarrassing” as they’ve now seen a second star slip through their fingers.
The Reds have so far signed two players this window: exciting midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. The pair were both useful assets at their former sides, and they’ll hope that continues at Anfield.
However, alongside the additions to the club, there have been some significant outgoings.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho – starting midfielders over the past few years – have both left for separate Saudi Arabian sides, after Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner left on free transfers.
Fabio Carvalho was allowed to go out on loan, so without the pair of signings, there would have been four senior midfielders in the squad, but not with a lot of combined experience.
As such, it’s been crucial beyond the sales for Jurgen Klopp’s side to add to the midfield.
They’ve looked to sign Moises Caicedo, who they bid £110million for. That was accepted by Brighton, but Caicedo himself turned the move down, having given his word to Chelsea previously.
Liverpool then bid £60million for Romeo Lavia, despite Southampton making it known they were only after £50million throughout the window.
It looks as if he’s also going to join Chelsea – Fabrizio Romano states they’re ‘closing in’ on the move – making it a double blow for the Reds.
Carragher blasts ‘joke’ transfer method
Former Liverpool man Carragher feels Liverpool should have never gotten into this situation, but have forced themselves into it with a lazy method.
“[They’re] in a pretty difficult place, people know they are desperate. They put a bid in for Lavia for £60m when they refused to pay £50m four or five days ago,” he said on Sky Sports.
“It’s an absolute mess and a joke. The biggest problem about it is that Liverpool have known they have needed midfield reinforcements since August of last season, 12 months ago. So to not have things in order…
Indeed, having not renewed the contracts of the midfielders who left on free transfers, they could have put the wheels in motion to make new midfield signings before they did leave, so there was a seamless transition.
Carragher blames directors
Carragher also feels the director of football over different periods of time should have had a handle on the moves that were being made.
“Yes, they’ve got a great manager, but they had Michael Edwards at the top of the club as director of football, and a transfer committee beneath them. It worked. He left,” Carragher said.
[Jorg] Schmadtke has come in, and he has a relationship with Klopp but he’s only there for the summer. That’s all he’s there for, and then moves on.
“They haven’t got deals done; that is your job in that role, to get deals over the line.
“The two players they bought had buy-out clauses; there’s no negotiation, no big deal to go about it; you just meet the buy-out clause. So Liverpool have not got big deals over the line, and it’s been embarrassing.
“That’s why I will not be critical of the owners they were willing to pay £111m and break the transfer record. To start with Lavia, not pay a certain amount, to then go to Caicedo and then go back to Lavia, it’s an absolute mess, a joke, and it’s embarrassing.”
