Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher used the panic buy of Alberto Aquilani as the reason he praises the current transfer process under FSG
Jamie Carragher used the panic buy of Alberto Aquilani by Liverpool as an example to appreciate the process under FSG. Liverpool signed Aquilani to replace their iconic playmaker Xabi Alonso after a long controversial transfer saga ended with his departure.
Alonso ended the 2008-09 season as Liverpool’s best player, almost helping them win the Premier League title race that season. However, the controversial transfer saga started even before that season when Rafa Benitez attempted to replace Alonso with Gareth Barry.
Liverpool operated poorly in the transfer market at the time with the emphasis on selling players before they could buy. Alonso understandably disliked the attempt to sell him and left the club for Real Madrid after enjoying an incredible season.
Despite knowing about the inevitable departure of the Spaniard, Liverpool acted very poorly to replace him and eventually signed Aquilani. Aquilani already had a history of injuries during his time at AS Roma despite his immense quality as a playmaker.
The Italian struggled to stay fit at Liverpool until he eventually left for Fiorentina after spending two seasons on loan. FSG saved Liverpool from a potential administration by ending the hellish reign of strongly hated Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
The new American owners gradually implemented numerous changes in the management to return Liverpool to the top of the competition. The Reds changed their transfer strategies to compete with high-spending rival clubs, enjoying remarkable success under a restricted transfer budget.
Carragher told the BOSS Podcast that Aquilani’s panic buy is one of the good reasons to trust FSG’s current process. He said:
“He [Alberto Aquilani] didn’t train, he was always injured! But when people say about Liverpool now and have a go at FSG and I always defend them, people think I’ve got some link with the club, I don’t get paid by the club, I pay for my own season ticket! That was just a panic buy out of nowhere.”
Liverpool prefers to wait patiently instead of making panic buys in the transfer market under FSG’s leadership. The strategy is well praised but some sections of the Liverpool fanbase do not like the extreme lack of risk-taking.
No one can deny that the strategy works but at times the situation has backfired and cost Liverpool some seasons. The Reds had to revamp their midfield in bulk last summer as their former player aged past their prime.
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The lack of smooth recycling of ageing players cost Liverpool the 2022-23 season as they failed to qualify for the Champions League. Liverpool’s management is still finding more effective balance in their transfer strategy and hopefully, they will continue to learn.
