Ian Wright has been critical of Liverpool’s transfer approach and how they haven’t invested in their backline enough.
Josko Gvardiol at Manchester City
The Arsenal legend thinks that Liverpool should have pushed to sign Josko Gvardiol this summer prior to his transfer to Manchester City.
The former striker claims it’s ‘not good enough’ that they have paid money for only the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Konstantinos Tsimikas during the Jurgen Klopp era, as he told Premier League Productions (03/09/23 at 1:45 pm).
On Sunday, with Konate injured and van Dijk suspended, it was Joe Gomez and Joel Matip starting at the heart of the defence.
Given that the Reds were coming up against a free-scoring Aston Villa side, then they did pretty well to secure a clean sheet alongside the three points.
But Wright thinks Liverpool are missing a trick by not refreshing their backline this summer, as he pointed towards Gvardiol as an example following his £78 million transfer to the Treble winners (Sky Sports)
“If you are going to play with that inverted fullback, then I am not sure Joe Gomez or Joel Matip is the guy,” said Wright.
“When you look at Liverpool down the years since they have brought a proper defender. Yes, they paid for Virgil van Dijk and Konate. Andy Robertson. Tsimikas as well. Four players they have paid for, it’s not good enough for a club of that stature and what they are trying to do.
“I feel that Liverpool should have got a real top-end defender someone like Josko Gvardiol. He was out there. You should try to go in (even if he is going to Man City).”
FSG or Klopp being too loyal?
The lack of pro-active nature from Liverpool in the transfer market is worrying, the prime example being their midfield revamp this summer, it should have happened 12 months ago, or even before that.
But a number of players have left Anfield on free transfers or they are offered contracts when they haven’t performed. Is that down to Klopp being too loyal?
Or should the finger be pointed towards FSG for not backing a manager, who when he has been backed, has won every trophy possible for the club?
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