Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has reacted to the rumours that Liverpool may not be making any signings today.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, the Anfield legend suggested he doesn’t want the Reds to panic buy at the last minute, especially in response to fresh injuries throwing the club off guard.
“Medically wise they have had a really bad season in terms of injuries,” Carragher said.
“Sometimes that can be down to bad luck, sometimes that can be down to the way injuries are looked after and who is involved. I know they haven’t replaced a doctor who left in the summer, whether that’s a problem or not I’m not sure. They have either had really bad luck or they need to sort that medical department out one way or another.
“In terms of transfer wise, I can understand the frustration of Liverpool fans when they see other clubs spending left, right and centre and Liverpool it almost looks like they have, because they are not bringing someone in, given up on that fight for top four.
“But what I would never what my club to be is what they were when I was a player which is scattergun and panicking at different times. I think Liverpool over the last four or five years have been a model which most clubs around Europe have wanted to follow.
“What they don’t do is panic in the transfer market and I think Jurgen Klopp has shown that before, when he has had really successful buys coming in, that he waits for the player that he wants.
“Now, if Liverpool aren’t bringing players in now because they haven’t got the money or because the player isn’t there that Jurgen Klopp wants, we don’t know – we’re not privy to that information. But I’m convinced Liverpool will have a big summer, I’m sure most Liverpool fans want them to have a big January, but I would not want them to go back to what they were doing when I was playing which was buying players and hoping they would work. More often than not Liverpool’s signings work because Jurgen Klopp gets the money he wants and they don’t panic.”
Carragher doesn’t want Liverpool to panic buy
While this is all well and good to say, bringing in new signings this month would not have been considered panic buying.
Instead, it has been an imperative need for the squad – which has looked fatigued, unfit and just off the pace.
These issues have been clear to see for months, so if anything, the Reds have been negligent.
For example, numerous midfield signings are needed. If a single injury happens to the likes of Thiago Alcantara or Naby Keita, Liverpool will not be in good stead for the second half of the season.
Therefore, with the injuries the club are currently facing at centre-back, including Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, then bringing in an additional defender would be the right thing to do.
We feel bad for Nat Phillips, who will now have to stay at the club as cover – despite being allowed to move on from Anfield this month.
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