‘I don’t think’: Paul Merson suggests Liverpool have just made a big mistake in the transfer market

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Paul Merson has claimed that Liverpool should have prioritised a midfield signing over bringing Cody Gakpo to Anfield.

The Reds tied up a deal for Gakpo in time for the window to open tomorrow. But, speaking to the Daily Star, Merson suggested that Jurgen Klopp would have been better off looking to strengthen his midfield.

“Liverpool are signing Cody Gakpo, but they should have signed some midfielders,” began the former England midfielder. “Will he even play? When everyone is fit I think he’ll be fifth choice for them in the forward areas.

“Liverpool have gone top-heavy up front but their midfield is short. They have so many attacking forwards but I don’t think their midfield is good enough.”

Liverpool still on the midfield lookout

Most Liverpool fans will probably agree with Merson to some extent. Although it’s great to secure an exciting talent like Gakpo, midfield should clearly be the priority.

However, it shouldn’t be overlooked that Liverpool were plotting a move for the 23-year-old anyway. Reading between the lines, it seems as though interest from other clubs accelerated what was a planned summer raid.

So, rather than being instead of a midfield signing, Gakpo should hopefully be in addition to one.

According to The Times though, that won’t be the case. They claim that Liverpool’s business in the winter window will likely begin and end with Gakpo.

If that is the case, then it shouldn’t be anything to do with bringing in the former PSV Eindhoven captain. Instead, it will merely be because Liverpool couldn’t get anything moving on one of their targets.

That would be a hugely disappointing result for the January window. But it shouldn’t negate any impact that Gakpo should have.

Yes, Liverpool do have other options, and perhaps the Netherlands international will be fifth-choice when everyone is fit.

But Merson is conveniently ignoring the fact that not everyone is fit right now. With two long-term injuries in the front–line, it was important that Liverpool didn’t leave themselves short there. A creaking midfield is already jeopardising their season. They couldn’t allow a similar situation to fester in attack, too.