Matchday rules could prevent Liverpool from securing big transfers

According to the Liverpool Echo (h/t Daily Star), Premier League regulations could play spoilsport in Liverpool’s attempts to sign new players in the summer.

The club will not be short of cash to spend following two quiet windows and the lucrative new kit deal with sportswear giants Nike.

The FA has strict regulations regarding homegrown and overseas players. All top-flight clubs can name a maximum of 17 overseas players in their 25-man squad. Liverpool currently have 15, with Loris Karius and Marko Grujic set to complete the quota.

The club’s quota of homegrown players is also set to decrease with the likes of  Pedro Chirivella, Adam Lallana and Andy Lonergan all running out of contract in the summer. If Nathaniel Clyne departs, it would further decrease the number of players to four.

As per the rules, any player is considered to be homegrown if he has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or for 36 months before his 21st birthday.

Although Trent Alexander-Arnold and Caoimhin Kelleher fit this criterion for next season, the likes of Nat Phillips, Harry Wilson, Sheyi Ojo, and Herbie Kane will have to be registered if the club decide to keep them.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds will limit their squad to 23, with them further needing to sell an overseas player in order to sign another.

A manageable problem?

The issue may not be as dire as imagined, with the likes of Loris Karius and Dejan Lovren likely to leave the club. Xherdan Shaqiri is another overseas player who is likely to leave, giving Klopp three slots to fill.

Liverpool already have a strong squad and will not go for much of an overhaul. The slots managed through sales should be enough for the club to bring in the players they want.

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Liverpool return to action against Bournemouth in a must-win clash designed to end the club’s run of two losses in a row. A win against the Cherries will leave us needing just nine more points to secure our maiden Premier League title.