CORE MIDFIELD TRANSFER TALK IS STRONG SIGN OF LIVERPOOL PROBLEM “FSG” MUST HALT

Liverpool are back in competitive action on Sunday afternoon when they take on Chelsea in their opening Premier League fixture.

Both sides were unable to meet their high expectations last season, Chelsea in particular falling short of standards, and it remains to be seen whether or not either

team will be capable of mounting a title challenge this term.

 

As the two clubs prepare to battle on the pitch, they have too been going head-to-head off the pitch with attempts to sign Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo. Sunday’s

fixture, as a result, will certainly have an added edge to it.

 

Looking ahead to the Reds’ 2023/24 campaign and what could be on the horizon for Jurgen Klopp’s side, four supporters have shared their views as part of a

weekly ECHO fan column.

 

It feels great to be back, doesn’t it? I can’t wait for our season to kick off with this Sunday’s blockbuster away match against Chelsea. The first big test will perhaps

feel more dramatic with the ongoing arm-wrestle between both clubs over the Belgian defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo of Brighton. But

ultimately, on the pitch, I believe we’ve got the talent in the side to get us off to a strong start.

I have to admit, I emerged from our final pre-season fixture against SV Darmstadt on Monday with more questions than answers around our starting front three.

The attack-heavy starting eleven delivered some fanciful finishing and delightful midfield play from the likes of Mac Allister, but it did also highlight the need for

some experienced, defensive-minded bodies in the middle of the park. One thing that is for sure is that we’re going to be in for an exciting ride this year. Up the

mighty Reds!

 

Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) – Liverpool have lost their touch in the transfer market

Liverpool’s business was once conducted in the shadows. We would only hear whispers of their pursuits. Now, such deals are conducted in broad daylight with the

delicate accompaniment of a brass band procession.

 

The tremors of this change in transfer approach could be felt and seen last year when, despite the proclamations by Klopp that he was not for turning, we saw the

desperate, disastrous signing of Arthur.

Have we learned from our mistakes? Outwardly at least, the Jude Bellingham saga was marked with indecision. The departures of Fabinho and Henderson were

marked with lethargy. With limited defensive midfield options for the season opener, Liverpool’s summer business hitherto has been lax at best and negligent at

worst.

 

The Romeo Lavia saga, which continues to rumble on, is bemusing as it is concerning. There have been murmurings about a deal for Moises Caicedo and, if this deal

comes to fruition, it still raises an eyebrow as to why this deal was not completed earlier and, more worrying still, why the Jude Bellingham deal was not done if such

reserves were available.

Liverpool should reflect on how this transfer window has unfolded because something appears to be rotten with their transfer strategy.

David Shams (Beijing, @ShamsWriter) – FSG must get their act together

It’s fitting that two of last season’s underperforming clubs face off on the opening weekend. Fans will be guaranteed storylines.

What that means for Sunday is anyone’s guess. The last four matches in all competitions have been rather dull affairs, but these are supposedly revamped teams

seeking to shake off last season’s malaise.

That said, a complete narrative will surely consist of more than just the on-field exploits. Liverpool’s posture in the transfer window is perplexing fans, yet again.

After beginning with good business, the pursuit of a much-needed defensive midfielder, Romeo Lavia in this case, has sputtered and looked outright shambolic.

It gives the impression that whoever is making the transfer decisions is looking to buy bargain-basement players who turn into diamonds in the rough. And that’s

simply not possible in this era of football, especially if you’re wanting to win silverware.

But, certainly, they can point to our upcoming opponents and say splashing cash isn’t a solution either. Sure, but I think fans would be more amenable if the good

folks in Boston didn’t spend so much time sitting on their hands. They can do this without breaking the bank.

James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) – Uncertainty reigns as Liverpool approach season opener

So far, it feels fair to say that this summer has offered more questions than answers. That isn’t massively uncommon with transfer windows, admittedly.

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s respective switches to Saudi Arabia represented surprising developments – and, understandably, produced wide-ranging

conversations of their own.

That changed the picture, but Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai remain highly exciting arrivals and there may now be extra room for others to thrive. The

squad, at present, looks a promising one that requires further balance. Additions in deep-lying midfield and defence would go a long way to offering that, although

the current strategy seemingly lacks clarity.

At time of writing, for instance, there appears to be interest from Liverpool and Chelsea in both Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. It is

undeniably easy to criticise from a distance, but LFC’s apparent prolonged pursuit of the former has felt somewhat puzzling.

Still, the most enjoyable answers tend to come on the pitch, which makes the Reds’ return to competitive action this weekend a source of excitement. The early signs

certainly suggest that 2023/24 ought to be an eventful one. Here’s to offering some winning on-field answers at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.