“Frustrating” – Carragher “Worried” as Liverpool “Gamble” Could Cost Them Premier League Title
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool are taking a risk by not making any signings during the January transfer window. However, he also acknowledges that the club has secured the best transfer of the season.
Currently leading the Premier League, Liverpool remain competitive on all fronts. They have advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League, the fourth round of the FA Cup, and the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The club has determined that their impressive performance in the first half of the 2024/25 season eliminates the need for new additions in the winter transfer window.
Arne Slot’s squad only brought in Federico Chiesa for this season, but the Italian has struggled for regular playing time.
The Dutch manager had shown interest in signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to strengthen the defensive midfield. However, the Spaniard opted to stay with his current club, leading Ryan Gravenberch to take on a bigger role.
Despite failing to land Zubimendi, Liverpool evidently have funds at their disposal but are choosing not to spend unnecessarily.
Club legend Carragher has described this approach as ‘frustrating, risky, and courageous all at once,’ believing that Liverpool’s hopes of securing a quadruple could be boosted by one or two signings in January.
Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph: “Liverpool’s transfer policy can be frustrating, risky and courageous all at once. They remain adept at competing at the top of the Premier League while lingering at the lower end of the “net spend” table.
“Another transfer window is closing with Liverpool one of the most inactive clubs. It is deja vu for those wondering if the squad are equipped to compete on four fronts.
“The lack of recruitment since the new manager joined worries me. Liverpool would be stronger with a left-sided defender and an extra central midfielder.
“On current form, Slot’s starting XI is capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League, but an injury to Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah would be a big problem, and if Ryan Gravenberch is absent the club have no natural replacement as a No 6.
“Liverpool were prepared to spend £51.5 million for Martín Zubimendi six months ago, recognising they needed more strength in depth. Gravenberch was the internal solution.
“Spending a little more in January to bring forward a deal for a long-term target would be a preferable insurance policy. Given the funds are there, it feels like a gamble to wait rather than grasp the nettle right now.
“That decision will be vindicated if Liverpool become champions. If they fall just short again, particularly to Arsenal, valid questions will be asked as to whether the club could and should have done more when in such a strong position.
“Time will tell if Liverpool’s general inactivity in the transfer market across the past two windows is dangerous or clever.
“If Liverpool win the title, Slot will be the hero. If it goes wrong from here, Edwards, Hughes and the rest of the FSG hierarchy will be cast by some as the villains.
“But whatever the outcome in the title run-in, Liverpool can claim they have already made the signing of the season: Slot himself.”
In other news, Chris Sutton Names Who’ll Drop Points as Liverpool Take on Bournemouth in the PL This Weekend
