Michael Owen has questioned Liverpool ’s transfer business in recent seasons, singling out Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino.
Origi signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool last summer, while Minamino only arrived from Red Bull Salzburg in January.
Former talisman Owen believes the decision to hand Origi a new deal, as well as the arrival of Minamino, has stopped Liverpool from spending big on a back-up striker.
The Reds looked almost set to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig this summer but the talented frontman instead opted to join Chelsea.
“Will Origi and Takumi Minamino be there next season? Yes they will,” Owen told Premier League Productions.
“Origi’s just signed a new contract and Minamino’s only just signed. They are there and they’re fixed but that doesn’t mean you can’t question whether they should be.
“Origi signing a new long-term deal was almost Liverpool… they were loyal to him weren’t they?
“He’d done what he’d done [in the Champions League] and all of a sudden they they thought he’s done that so you have to give them a new contract.
“That’s now prevented them from going and spending big money on a back-up striker.
“Timo Werner was obviously a player that Liverpool were linked to and he’s eventually gone to Chelsea. I think that type of player would have been brilliant for Liverpool.
“They signed Origi on a long-term contract that virtually ruled out a back-up striker and I’m not sure that they don’t need a better one.”
