Liverpool have been urged to cash in on Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo in order to dominate the Premier League.
The two forwards have been a little patchy this season. Diaz has improved of late – culminating in a goal-scoring display on Wednesday against Fulham. But by and large, the Colombian has been disappointing this term.
Gakpo meanwhile has been an inconsistent presence. Nine goals is a decent return for the Dutchman, although there’s no doubt he should have had more.
As a result, Peterborough United chairman and Liverpool fan Darragh MacAnthony has urged the Reds to take action. Speaking on his The Hard Truth podcast, MacAnthony claims that Jurgen Klopp should be doing whatever he can to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford.
“He’s a world class player,” says the Irishman, of Toney. “Every team at the top of the Premier League should buy him and need him. I want to see Brentford win games and stay in the Premier League and then I want to see him get his move.
“Ivan Toney is in the top three strikers in the Premier League. I even look at Liverpool struggling at times and I’m thinking sell Diaz, sell Gakpo and go and get Ivan Toney. Him in the middle, Nunez to the right and Salah to the left. Back to back league titles all day long!”
Liverpool urged to make Toney addition
We’re not sure about this one. Straight off the bat, it’s worth pointing out that MacAnthony oversaw Toney’s time at Peterborough a few years back, so perhaps has a vested interest in his success.
Being a Liverpool fan, you can understand why the chairman would be keen to see the 27-year-old make the move to Anfield. Indeed, it isn’t the first time he’s called for this deal to be done.
However, taking the blinkers off, there’s really no reason at all for the Reds to be in for Toney.
He’s a good player, sure. He very well may be in the top three out-and-out strikers in the Premier League right now. But Liverpool don’t need him.
MacAnthony may be playing down the importance of Diaz and Gakpo, but both offer something important to Liverpool: squad depth. Selling two players and buying one would deplete Klopp’s strength in this area for a player who arguably wouldn’t improve their starting XI.
And make no mistake, Liverpool would have to sell someone in order to afford Toney. Reports have claimed that Brentford are asking for at least £80m to sell their star man. £80m. Come on, Brentford.
Again, Toney is a good player and he’s a Liverpool fan to boot. But he’s not the man to deliver ‘back to back’ league titles to Anfield.
Liverpool will still clear of this bun fight, and we think they’re absolutely right to do so.
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