Jamie Carragher has claimed that Liverpool’s inability to sign a central midfielder last summer has ‘blown up in their face.’
The Reds ignored their need for new bodies in the middle of the park, opting not to make any moves with top targets unavailable. And speaking to Sky Sports today, Carragher said that while he understands the approach, he still thinks his old club have got it wrong.
“It’s obvious they have been working on Jude Bellingham’s signing for a long time. They [Borussia Dortmund] weren’t going to sell him in the summer, so maybe they have thought that this midfield can get us through,” he said. “I’ve said this before – it’s just blown up in their face.”
“It’s their job to see things before they happen and they have got that wrong, no doubt about it.
“But I can understand it, and I’m not going to be massively critical of them not bringing in a midfielder in the summer, as the two players that they want [Tchouameni and Bellingham] were not available.”
Liverpool paying the price for poor planning
Carragher has hit the nail on the head here. But it really isn’t good enough from Liverpool. They could obviously see the warning signs, that’s why they went out and tried to sign Aurelien Tchouameni.
To then not have a back-up plan beyond a huge move for Jude Bellingham is bordering on unforgivable.
Yes, they’ve had injuries this season, but everyone knew that they would. The fact that Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have missed massive parts of the season is not a surprise.
The failure to find a suitable replacement in the summer has arguably cost Liverpool a season. Had the hole been plugged, things would surely be a little better than they are now. Even now, there’s still a chance to rectify their mistake. But with hours of the transfer market remaining, that isn’t going to happen.
So, the blame for this lies squarely at the doors of those trusted with Liverpool’s recruitment.
They arguably need strengthening this month more than any other side in the Premier League. Perhaps even on the whole continent.
Instead, they’ve sat on their hands and done nothing once again. They may well sign several midfielders this summer, but it really is too little too late.
The rot has set in. It’ll take an almighty effort and a whole lot of money to turn it around now. It really didn’t have to be this way.
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