Jamie Carragher has slammed Liverpool’s transfer business after the Reds this week lost out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, the pundit was critical of how his former club had gone about their approaches for the two midfielders, who Chelsea have both now signed.
Liverpool submitted a Premier League record £110m bid to sign Caicedo, only for Chelsea to trump the offer having agreed personal terms with the midfielder earlier in the summer.
As for Lavia, Liverpool tried too hard to get a good deal out of a stubborn Southampton, allowing Chelsea to match the Saints’ asking price to bring the 19-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, the last few days have been embarrassing, and Carragher is more than aware, with the pundit saying: “The two players they have bought have got buy-out clauses. Liverpool have not got deals done. It’s been embarrassing.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
You start with Lavia, then you go Caicedo, yes you get something agreed, that’s why I won’t be critical of the owners because they were willing to pay £110m, but to go with him when he has been talking to Chelsea for three months, now to go back to Lavia. It’s an absolute mess.”
Carragher has summed up Liverpool’s recent business perfectly
Carragher has summed up Liverpool’s activity in recent days perfectly, with the pundit rightly mad and annoyed about how his former club has gone about their pursuits for Lavia and Caicedo.
Either player would have been a perfect addition to Liverpool’s ranks this summer, yet with the pair now heading to Chelsea, it’s back to the drawing board for Jurgen Klopp and his transfer team.
Had Liverpool made their moves earlier, there would not be this problem heading into the final weeks of the window, with the Reds now playing catch-up.