Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has claimed the Reds need to start buying better if they are to get back to their best under Jurgen Klopp.
Writing for his column in The Mirror, the Scouser suggested the Merseyside outfit have failed to directly replace Sadio Mane, despite bringing in the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
“I’m not having a go in any way at the players involved, but how much have they spent on effectively refreshing their forward line and replacing Sadio Mane?” said Fowler.
“A conservative estimate says £150m. But what have they got for that money – and it’s a huge amount, despite the fans complaining the owners haven’t invested? Potential, that’s what.
“Darwin Nunez looks exciting at times, but he’s far from the finished article, and it could be quite a while if we see him fulfil, if at all. I think the same could be said of Cody Gakpo. Neither of them hit the ground running, and that’s being kind.
“Luis Diaz was a little different. You could argue he was Liverpool’s best player until he got injured. But as a replacement for Mane? Not on the same page yet as a finisher. And the injury problems he’s already had hardly instil confidence.
“I think that’s been one of the major issues. They’ve spent money, but it seems to be club policy to go out and buy young talent, rather than the finished article, despite the high prices.”
Fowler says Diaz isn’t as good as Mane
When Diaz arrived on Merseyside, fans weren’t expecting him to already be on Mane’s level.
Leaving Anfield in 2022, the former Liverpool star went on to finish second in the Ballon d’Or last year.
At the same time, the Colombia international had only been playing in Europe for the past two-and-a-half years before signing for the Reds.
As a result, he wasn’t expected to be the finished article – that would be totally unfair.
Despite this, the 26-year-old has been absolutely exceptional since joining the club.
His attacking flair and incredible dribbling ability made an instant impact at Anfield, and he was arguably Liverpool’s best player this season before he got injured.
Perhaps his finishing isn’t as strong as Mane’s just yet, but the 30-year-old was hardly at his best when he left for Bayern Munich last year.