Danny Murphy Names Two Major Transfers Liverpool Must Make to Challenge for Title

Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League that have yet to make a new signing this summer.

Former midfielder Danny Murphy has raised doubts about Liverpool’s title hopes, suggesting that Arne Slot’s squad might already be out of the race.

In a talkSPORT discussion, Murphy expressed his concerns about the team’s prospects for the upcoming season. He argued that Liverpool must bring in two new players—a center-back and a holding midfielder—to improve their chances.

“Well the window’s not closed,” Murphy said. “And the reality is Liverpool’s transfer business over the last five-six years has been excellent.

“I expect them to be top four, but I don’t think they’ll overcome (Manchester) City. They can’t win it with this squad can they? I don’t think so. They’ll be better, of course they would. Significant new signings – yeah, I think a center-half and a holding midfielder.

“When you look at the two best teams in the country last year with Rodri and (Declan) Rice, Liverpool don’t have that. And although (Wataru) Endo and (Alexis) Mac Allister did well in certain games and certain periods, that consistent person in the middle of the pitch who’s physically dominant and able to control games like those two do, Liverpool don’t really have.”

The ex-Liverpool star also touched on a recent transfer disappointment: Liverpool’s failed attempt to secure Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

“You can’t judge a team’s signings until the window’s closed,” Murphy added. “Big signings and real high quality players sometimes take a while to get over the line. You know what the domino effect does in the transfer market, we’ve seen it many, many times.

“One big one goes from somewhere that knocks on, they will be hugely disappointed that they didn’t get Zubimendi because I think they thought that was over the line. They lost out to (Romeo) Lavia and (Moises) Caicedo last year and now they’ve lost out to Zubimendi as well.

“It’s not great, especially when they need a player in that position. If they sign nobody, I still think they’ll improve because of the fact so many of those young players are getting better. You’d expect Darwin Nunez to get better and convert more chances.

“You’d expect the young players like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, (Conor( Bradley, (Jarell) Quansah to all have improved with the experience they had last season.

“All those little things. So hopefully, yes. And keeping players, I mean (Luis) Diaz missed half the season. Diaz is a super talent. Keeping him fit is going to be a big thing.”

In other Liverpool news, The Academy Graduate Who Impressed Arne Slot in Pre-season Can Save Liverpool £50m in Transfer Costs