Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool will make at least one more signing this summer – but has urged fans to trust the club’s transfer model.
With less than three weeks until the window closes, the Reds’ only new arrival remains the £36million capture of centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.
By comparison, Manchester City and neighbours United have both splashed out at least £100m while Chelsea are poised to spend almost the same amount on Romelu Lukaku.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp caused a stir on Wednesday when he confirmed his squad needs pruning before any further signings are made, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Nat Phillips among those linked heavily with a departure.
And while Liverpool legend Carragher is in agreement, he remains convinced the club’s incomings aren’t done just yet.
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“I think something will happen,” he said to the ECHO. “I’m not sure it will be exactly what people want in terms of it being an attacking player AND a midfield player, but it will be one of those.
“We have to remember where the club are at financially because of the pandemic, and they’ve also given a lot of new contracts out, which will be a massive outlay.
“I’d expect one more to come in. But there’s no doubt Liverpool have a large group of players that has to be chipped away at.
“You can see how big the squad is by the fact Divock Origi, who scored in a Champions League final for the club, couldn’t get in the starting line-up in the last two friendlies.
“Am I surprised there haven’t been more incomings? I think we are at the stage now where we trust the operation of Liverpool under FSG, Michael Edwards and Jurgen Klopp.”
That trust is being tested among a section of the Liverpool fanbase who have also seen City linked with a £100m move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
And while sympathetic towards supporters who are becoming concerned by the moves of the Reds’ near rivals, Carragher is happy Klopp has addressed a clear issue in the squad.
“I understand why fans are looking at other clubs and wondering why Liverpool aren’t doing more in the market,” he said.
“But there are certain things that other clubs do that Liverpool wouldn’t.
“Liverpool wouldn’t buy a striker for £100m who was 28. They just wouldn’t do that. It’s not their model, and we have to trust the model.
“Manchester United had some glaring areas that they needed to improve, and I don’t think Liverpool have obvious areas like that – the only one was centre-back, and by bringing in Ibrahima Konate you could argue Liverpool are stronger at centre-back than any other club in the Premier League right now.”
Carragher also believes a lack of fresh faces could give an opportunity to a player he regards as a “special talent” in Liverpool’s squad.
“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if Liverpool didn’t bring in a midfielder or a forward, although personally I’d like to see another attacking player,” he said.
“I would something to supplement the forwards, but maybe that could be Harvey Elliott who has impressed me in pre-season.
“There’s no doubt he is a special talent and shouldn’t go out on loan again. The only problem is that his preferred position is that of Mohamed Salah, who is arguably Liverpool’s best player.
“Salah never gets injured – touch wood – so Elliott won’t get many minutes there. But Klopp has to keep Elliott happy in some ways, and that’s maybe why he’s looking at him in midfield to give him minutes.
“If we do bring someone in, whether in midfield or attack, I’d want it to be someone with a goal threat. My one worry, and the one thing that could stop us winning the league, is whether we can score enough goals and help relieve the pressure on Salah and Mane.
“But again, that could be Harvey Elliott if he chips in with five or six goals in the league.”
