Jurgen Klopp’s comment that the club may not sign any more defenders this summer is potentially a risky move by the Liverpool manager.
Liverpool’s £176.9 million outlay in the current transfer window is over £80m more than the next highest spenders in the Premier League (West Ham United).
The Reds have bought well this summer, with midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho arriving alongside goalkeeper Alisson and forward Xherdan Shaqiri.
Liverpool spent £75m to sign Virgil van Dijk in January, but the likes of Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan have all failed to prove they have the ability to play for a side with aspirations of winning the title.
Joe Gomez has been tipped to partner van Dijk at centre-half next term, leaving Klopp believing that he has enough defensive quality.
Asked if he will bring in another defender before the window shuts on August 9, Klopp said: “This summer, no. I don’t see the need.
“Joe Gomez, playing in that role as a central defender, he combines a lot of things you don’t find on the transfer market so I don’t see the need at the moment.
“But, with 12 days to go in the transfer market, a lot can happen. So now I say no, maybe you ask me tomorrow and I’ll say something different.”
Gomez certainly has the potential to establish himself as a first-team regular, but Klopp would be taking a huge risk if he fails to bring in another central defender.
There are no guarantees that Gomez will deliver what Klopp believes he is capable of, while an injury to van Dijk would leave Liverpool relying on centre-halves who have already proved they are not up to the job.
The addition of the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Kalidou Koulibaly or Leonardo Bonucci would all improve Klopp’s defensive options and signing one of them could be the difference between success or failure next season.
TOP STORIES
Chelsea linked with a move for Juventus defender Mattia Caldara
Wayne Rooney shines and scores first goal for DC United in MLS
AC Milan want to sign Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko
Newcastle United will not sell Jamaal Lascelles easily
Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas speaks out on future
TALES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Patrick Bamford will undergo a medical with Leeds United on Monday after a £7m fee was agreed with Middlesbrough over the weekend.
Mads is mad for it.
Let’s be honest. Us signing the likes of Douglas and Bamford for more than 10 mill and being managed by Bielsa is unreal. Starting to look very exciting. Still a few players short, but it hasn’t looked better in ten plus years.
— Mads Thygesen (@MadsThygesen84) July 29, 2018
Johnny has his doubts.
Where are the goals going to come from? Bamford won’t get more than 12 and Roofe isn’t very good #lufc
— Johnny F (@JF_LUFCmod) July 29, 2018
He’s not convinced either.
The club have been poor this summer despite Douglas signing which is a top class signing. Very disappointing so far. Messed up Vydra chase and Bamford good but not guaranteed goals galore. Which is what we need too.
— WeAllLoveLeeds (@AllLoveLeeds) July 29, 2018
Announce Joe Jordan.
I can see Bamford coming in as a no.10, he’s not really the bullish focal point no.9 we need #lufc
— Adam (@Hertswhitelufc) July 29, 2018
Meanwhile, further north, the natives are restless.
Pulis must be mad. Any takers for Gestede? 6ft 4 but jumps 5 ft 6, glass ankles, poor first touch and low work ethic. Therefore I think we are stuck. Hey, let’s sell Bamford. Nuts!
— Ashley Brooks (@10crownhouse) July 29, 2018
And the stats tell us why.
What people seem to be missing about Bamford’s goal ratio is how often he’s been a substitute. Both at Boro, and over his career total, he’s averaged a goal about every other start. Start him in 46 games and with that ratio he could be our 20+ goals striker. pic.twitter.com/nCRyFWg1V5
— Anders Lagerfjärd (@jalager) July 29, 2018
TODAY’S TOP TUNE
Green Day fans went into meltdown after the band revealed that they’d been playing their classic album ‘Dookie’ in full during rehearsals.
With next year marking the album’s 25th anniversary, many fans have speculated that they will play it on their next tour. Let’s have a bit of ‘When I Come Around’ to celebrate.
A FINAL THOUGHT
Jose Mourinho – it’s fair to say he’s not a happy camper right now. His bad mood is fully justified. It is no secret that Mourinho wanted to improve his defence this summer.
With the transfer window closing in under two weeks the club has signed right-back Diogo Dalot. Centre-half improvements? None. It’s little wonder that Mourinho is so miffed when the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still amongst his main options.
The United boss is clearly unhappy with chief executive Ed Woodward at the moment and it’s easy to see why. If the Red Devils fail to strengthen their defence in the next couple of weeks the finger of blame should point at Woodward, not Mourinho.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
