🔴 EOTK INSIDER 🔴: Klopp's handed fans a transfer scare? Guardiola's mockery of FFP... and more! ✍️
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It’s that time of the week again!
As August steadily rolls on, there’s a sense of increasing levels of anxiety attached to the transfer window’s ever-nearing expiration date.
Since signing Ibrahima Konate early on, Liverpool’s forays into the transfer window have been limited beyond organising player exits.
There is a rationale behind all of this, of course, with it becoming apparent that financial flexibility is not the only factor blocking the club from arranging further incomings.
The non-homegrown quota, currently at full capacity, requires specific outgoings, with a couple of players needing to depart Anfield in order to free up space for a new signing to fill.
Given that we’re likely to be charged a premium for a more local signing, it seems that our hopes more or less rest on the recruitment team winning their battle against time and ensuring the swift exits of Xherdan Shaqiri and one other non-homegrown star.
Some journalists have taken to pessimism regarding Liverpool’s chances of dipping once more into the market; understandably so considering Jurgen Klopp’s recent comments and the grimace-worthy timeframe available to Michael Edwards and co.
The club’s focus on delivering new contracts for its key stars, from Trent Alexander-Arnold to Fabinho, has certainly given a number of neutrals the impression that Liverpool’s faith very much lies with the squad available.
If you were to look at our best starting-XI, it’s difficult to argue with the logic.
Bias aside, Liverpool’s strongest starting lineup is capable of challenging any of the top sides across Europe - they proved that with two successive title-winning campaigns.
A key figure in that side, Georginio Wijnaldum, has since left but the recruitment team added world-class talent Thiago Alcantara last summer alongside dynamic forward Diogo Jota. This summer, our drool-inspiring backline has been bolstered by the signing of Ibrahima Konate, a defender experts reckon could turn out to be a better centre-half than Bayern Munich’s extremely highly-rated Dayot Upamecano.
Realistically speaking, there are few footballers around who can genuinely improve upon what Jurgen Klopp currently has at his disposal.
However, concerns around our lack of transfer business don’t necessarily revolve around improving our first-choice string.
Liverpool’s backup options need to be seriously considered. The numbers are there but can we guarantee that when the chips are down one of the likes of Divock Origi, Naby Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and co. can step up and make a difference?
Quality and injury-proness are recurring themes that have left question marks over some of our options waiting in the wings and rightly so.
It’s not helped when seeing our rivals domestically and abroad make a mockery of Financial Fair Play with big money moves and attracting players on frees with inconceivably ludicrous wages.
Still, with it becoming increasingly likely that Shaqiri will make his exit from Anfield in the near future, we’ll take a step closer to creating space in the non-homegrown quota, which provides some amount of hope with regard to a new signing.
It may not be one that Liverpool desperately need but it would be a risk to bank on our first-XI staying fit for an entire campaign - as has already been demonstrated by Andy Robertson’s injury in pre-season.
Bleak warning aside, there have been some fascinating tidbits to have emerged throughout the week!
If you’re looking to get all the week’s best bits straight to your inbox - and ad-free - then look no further! All you have to do is hit that subscribe button.
#Ep7 of The Red Nets Podcast: Klopp’s alarming transfer window update… Lampard’s Liverpool prediction... and more!
We’ve got another cracking guest on the podcast - Mick Moran of The Kopite! As ever, transfer stories have dominated the week and we take a look at some of the biggest tidbits to have emerged, from Lyon’s interest in Xherdan Shaqiri to the links between Liverpool and Jeremy Doku. Loads of opinions for you all to dig into, including the pre-season standouts, the upcoming Norwich clash… and more!
Pep Guardiola’s made a fool of himself as well as FFP with his bizarre Grealish comments
We’ve known for a long time that clubs like Manchester City care little for the restrictions imposed by FFP for the purpose of delivering a level playing field in football. But Pep’s logic regarding the Cityzens’ ability to secure signings as expensive as Jack Grealish seemed more than a little skewed and, if anything, somewhat insulting.
McManaman reckons Liverpool can do without the one signing many fans have pleaded with the club to make
Georginio Wijnaldum’s Liverpool exit left in its wake a mountain of transfer speculation regarding his potential successor in midfield. As our most reliable option in the middle of the park in the 2020/21 campaign, it’s widely accepted that a new midfielder would be ideal. According to ex-Red Steve McManaman, however, it’s not close to being a priority for us at the moment!
#Ep6 of The Red Nets Podcast (Special Edition): Jose Enrique has his say on dream signings, the problem with FSG… and more!
Normally we’d keep it just the one podcast episode here (as much as you love to hear us gab!). But we couldn’t resist the opportunity to share Ste Carson’s chat with former Liverpool fullback Jose Enrique with you all. The Spaniard offered his thoughts on the club’s transfer window and the issues with the ownership… and much, much more!
And last but not least…
Does Messi leaving for PSG present a glimpse into the future for Liverpool with Salah?
When your European rivals are able to dish out £600,000-a-week contracts at the drop of a hat, it does make you worry when it comes to negotiating new terms for your own key stars. Will there be those sideways glances at the likes of PSG and Man City, with clashes consequently arising over their perceived worth? Liverpool have already secured a number of key names on long-term contracts but do we need to worry about the futures of top-tier talents like Mohamed Salah?