Liverpool will only sign if “another Luis Díaz” appears
Fabrizio Romano referred to the Reds’ plans in the transfer market, taking into account the team’s casualties in midfield.
The large number of injuries, affecting several first team regulars, is one of the reasons behind Liverpool’s discreet start in the Premier League. Jürgen Klopp is without 10 first team squad players which has complicated the team selection process with the coach forced to find alternatives and solutions during the first three games of the season.
One of the main areas affected is the midfield - Thiago, Naby Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones are all on the injury list. The German coach fielded Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Harvey Elliot in Monday’s game against Manchester United, leaving Fabinho on the bench, but the move didn’t work out. The Reds lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, ending a 21-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
The injury crisis has led to talk of Liverpool re-entering the transfer market to strengthen an area which supporters have shown concern for. However, Fabrizio Romano, a specialist on the subject, cannot see the Merseysiders getting their cheque book out again this summer - unless they find another Luis Díaz.
“I think Jürgen Klopp told the truth about the club’s plans: Liverpool will only consider a new signing if a smart opportunity like Luis Díaz comes along in January, for example. Otherwise, they will keep the current squad. We have seen in the past that Liverpool under Klopp do not tend to panic buy; as things stand, the approach is the same,” the Italian journalist wrote in his column for CaughtOffside.
Liverpool’s midfield targets
As for the two players who Liverpool had hoped to sign this summer, Real Madrid won the battle for Tchouameni and Borussia Dortmund have kept Jude Bellingham, so Klopp has effectively have given up on reinforcing the midfield in this market. There have been rumours of Leandro Paredes being an option after losing his place in the PSG’s XI following Christophe Galtier’s arrival.
Liverpool are currently without a win, in the bottom half of the table with two points out of a possible nine. They will be looking for their first victory on Saturday against Bournemouth at Anfield.