Jamie Carragher has thrown doubt on Liverpool’s rumoured pursuit of Adam Wharton after watching them lose against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds have been heavily linked with Wharton, with some reports even suggesting that the 22-year-old is seen as a ‘dream’ signing at Anfield this summer.
According to Carragher, though, Liverpool‘s 11th Premier League defeat of the season highlighted more than ever that Arne Slot needs a more physical presence added to his midfield.
Can someone explain why this was allowed to stand?
Apparently United are allowed to handle balls into the net now 😤
Liverpool do not need more technical players – Carragher
Despite his obvious qualities, there have been some doubts about Wharton beginning to creep in from Liverpool supporters.
Pace is one issue for the Crystal Palace man, and with the Reds badly lacking in power and aggression in midfield as well, Wharton is perhaps not the player to provide an injection of either.
Carragher agrees, telling Sky Sports after Sunday’s match that he wants to see Liverpool move away from signing technical footballers this summer.
“A big thing for me will be what they go and do in midfield,” he said. “I think if they get a really technical footballer to go in there, that might worry me a little a bit about where this team’s going, because I think Liverpool need a bit more physicality.”
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“There’s talk of, for instance, Adam Wharton. Lovely footballer, wand of a left foot and you can imagine him getting lovely passes into Florian Wirtz, but I’d really worry about him running back towards my own goal and stopping a counter-attack.
“Liverpool almost need somebody who can do everything,” Carragher added. “You think of Declan Rice at Arsenal or Caicedo at Chelsea were these players about.
“I think it’ll be really interesting what Liverpool do recruitment wise, not who they buy as such or how much they spend, but the profile of player, because they’ve gone for real talent and it just hasn’t worked. It’s blown up in their face.”
You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it?
Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all…
Neither Rice nor Caicedo will be available this summer, but Liverpool really should be looking for a player who can add some steel to the silk they currently possess.
Wharton could be a tremendous signing for the Reds under the right circumstances, but within the context of the needs of this current squad, he does not look like the right fit.
Carragher is right to be worried, but as noise grows louder of Wharton arriving at Anfield this summer, he may end up having to deal with it.
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