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“That’s investment”- Jurgen Klopp backs John W. Henry comments, defends FSG’s spending at Liverpool

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By Shrishh Attavar

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp supports FSG Chief John W. Henry and his comments

There has been a trend in recent seasons with the owners of Liverpool Football Club to only spend big money on players only after selling a few. Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners, spearheaded by John W. Henry has faced a lot of backlash from Liverpool fans for the same, but Jurgen Klopp continues to defend their frugal spending habits.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Reds’ trip down south to face AFC Bournemouth in the league, the manager had a word with reporters and talked about how that could be the right form of investment.

There have been times when the club has been longing for some new bodies especially when there was an injury crisis at the club. Notably, in midfield this season, and in defence in the 2020/21 season. At both times, no signings were made in either department. Except for the loan signing of Ozan Kabak then, and Arthur Melo now.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with the John W. Henry.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with the John W. Henry. Image credits: Getty.

Here is what Klopp said via Liverpool Echo while referring to John Henry’s exclusive interview with ECHO:

“It’s nothing to do with names or players. John is right. The players we brought in last couple of transfer windows, Luis, Darwin and Cody, players in the first line. Sadio, Bobby and Mo were for a while best front line in football. Mo is now left pretty much, and Diogo came in as well in that time. That’s investment.”

Is Henry right to be frugal in spending?

While it is tough to argue with what Klopp said, the attack was never a problem for Liverpool per se. Major issues which needed solutions were defensive and midfield depth, and these are still ongoing concerns. With FSG having nobody at the club to sell at this point, they HAVE to spend out of their own pockets to get two or three players on board next summer.

And it is not even a matter of the Reds being spoilt. The only midfield signing made at the club ever since the arrival of Naby Keita and Fabinho back in July 2018 is Thiago Alcantara in 2020. Tough to count the arrival of Arthur Melo on loan as he is yet to feature for the club in more than two games.

There have been no permanent midfield signings at Liverpool since the recruitment of Thiago. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp supports FSG Chief John W. Henry and his comments
There have been no permanent midfield signings at Liverpool since the recruitment of Thiago. Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Even though the business model has served the club really well until now, it is perhaps time for the owners to change their modus operandi and invest more into the club rather than selling players to buy as we have seen in recent seasons.

With the club heading into a transitional phase, it is extremely important for the owners to understand the situation and help the management with the funds their work over the last few years at the club actually deserves.

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Hopefully, Henry backs Klopp with the financials the same way the gaffer is sorting the club owner out by agreeing with him in the press conferences. The next summer promises a lot of change at the club, and hopefully, we see a lot of players joining in as well.