Jurgen Klopp has vowed to rebuild Liverpool this summer after a horrendous season that marked the end of the Reds’ era of success – and Robbie Fowler has suggested ways to set things right.
I agree with Jurgen Klopp that he needs a rebuild this summer, with at least four players – and quite possibly more – needed.
But I can’t help but think it has to be better than the transfer business they have done in the last year if they are to return to the incredible levels Liverpool have enjoyed much of their time under him.
I’m in no way off about the players involved, but how much have they spent to effectively refresh their front line and replace Sadio Mane? A conservative estimate says £150 million. But what do they get for the money – and it’s a huge amount, despite fans complaining that the owners haven’t invested? Potentially, that’s what happened.
Darwin Nunez can look interesting at times, but he is far from the finished article, and that could take a while if we see him fulfilling, if at all. I think the same can be said about Cody Gakpo. Neither of them hit the ground running, which is fine.
Luis Diaz is a little different. You could argue he was Liverpool’s best player until he got injured. But as a replacement for Mane? Not yet on the same page as the finisher. And the injury problems he has had hardly inspire confidence.
I think that is one of the main problems. They have spent money, but it seems to be club policy to go out and buy young talent, rather than finished articles, even if they cost a fortune.
You saw the level of Liverpool last season, and if anyone is going to come to that team, then they have to be in the absolute elite of world football. I don’t think they have that. Not yet.
You could argue that Salah and Mane weren’t elite players when they arrived, but they both definitely nailed it… and also soon hit the numbers they’ve maintained throughout their time at Anfield.
So yes, the owner HAS to spend a lot of money in the summer, but it’s a bigger problem than that. Recruitment should also be near perfect as in the past, with elite level players who could make a big difference almost immediately.
It won’t be cheap. And it may not be wise to spend the money they have on one player. Say the summer budget is £130 million and they spend it on Jude Bellingham, one player is not going to solve the team problems they have.
I think they need three players straight into the starting XI, at least. You won’t find two of them for free. So either the budget far exceeds Bellingham’s fee (if they can get it), or they are looking for three players for £45m each.
That’s tough in today’s market but it might be a sensible choice… if the recruiting team can reproduce their previous golden touch that found so many players who quickly proved to be among the elite.