Gary Neville tells Liverpool owners to substantially back Jurgen Klopp this summer
Speaking in his podcast (h/t Sky Sports), former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has told the Liverpool owners to back Jurgen Klopp during the coming summer transfer window.
Neville feels the job Klopp has done at Anfield so far deserves the backing from the owners in the summer window with substantial money.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), headed by John W. Henry, have been portrayed as owners who have not always been financially open with regard to spending large sums of money in transfer windows.
Liverpool have worked under the sell-to-buy policy in the last few years and it has worked. But, now, it feels as if the owners need to get some money out of their pockets to help Klopp build another good team. Neville concurs with that and said this (h/t Sky Sports):
“Jurgen Klopp has got to be supported. He was supported when they fell short by being able to push themselves in the transfer market, they’ll have to go there again this summer.
“Other teams are going to invest, Klopp’s strength over the last six or seven years has been the quality of football but also the strength of recruitment, he’s been able to get the most out of players, who ultimately haven’t cost stupid amounts, Van Dijk, Allison and Nunez aside.
“You look at those £20m, £30m signings, Jota, Salah, Mane, there are more of them, Robertson at left-back, they’ve been outstanding. They’ve been wonderful for Liverpool.
“They’re going to have to do a bit of that, but also go and I think put some serious money down and get one or two serious players for Klopp.”
Although he is a former Mancunian player, Neville is right in what he is saying here. With a chunk of players leaving on a free transfer this summer (James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), the sell-to-buy policy is not possible this summer.
Moreover, the midfield department needs a major overhaul in the transfer market. Although Trent Alexander-Arnold is doing well there in a hybrid role, the Reds have more ammunition there to challenge for the big honours next season.
The club have apparently pulled out of the Jude Bellingham transfer race because they want to spread the transfer budget to buy several players. Let’s hope that turns out to be the case in the coming weeks.
Klopp has clearly mentioned that Liverpool won’t be held to ransom by selling clubs. If they are charging more than expected, the Reds won’t sign that player. It would be interesting to see how many targets they can let go of just because they are not happy with the money demanded by the selling club.
More Liverpool News:
- Liverpool are in talks with Jorg Schmadtke for a temporary support role only
- Arthur Melo confirms he will leave Liverpool and wants to play before saying goodbye
- Manchester City to join the race for Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch
It is truly disappointing that we are in a position where we cannot sign some important targets due to finances. Of course, no one expects unlimited funds but the fact of the matter is, clubs like Manchester City, Newcastle United and PSG pose a danger to Liverpool’s standing in England and Europe.
If we can’t keep up financially with other big clubs, maybe other avenues should be explored, like getting a big investor or selling the club altogether.