According to Jamie Carragher, Liverpool still needs to add players to their roster if they want to once again contend for the Premier League championship.
After the Reds missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time since 2016, the disappointing 2022–23 season, Jurgen Klopp oversaw a change to his midfield that included the additions of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch as well as the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade–Chamberlain.
Liverpool has had a solid start to the new season, winning five of their first eight games, and their lone loss in 2023/24 so far came at Tottenham in highly disputed circumstances.
Going into the break, the Reds are third, three points behind Tottenham in first. But following the 2-2 draw with Brighton, Carragher said that next season might be the time for his former team to once again be championship contenders, claiming that recruitment work is still needed in several crucial areas.
“Whether they can go on and win the biggest trophy, which is the Premier League – I think that will be tough,” the former defender turned commentator said to Sky Sports.
“I believe Liverpool might pursue that strategy with a few more arrivals for the upcoming season.
“I believe Liverpool could use another defender and a great central midfielder. Whether it’s January or the summer, those gaps will be filled. They’ll be better prepared to compete for the Premier League the following season, in my opinion.”
Even though Liverpool added four new midfielders this summer, there has been much discussion regarding their ‘number six’ alternatives, or lack thereof.
After selling Henderson and Fabinho, two more defensive-minded midfielders, the Reds tried unsuccessfully to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who ultimately joined Chelsea.
Endo, 30, was acquired by Liverpool for almost £16 million in what was seen by many as a left-field move. However, the Japan captain has only been occasionally deployed thus far, with Mac Allister frequently selected as the deepest-lying midfielder, with varying degrees of success.
Anfield Watch has learned that Fluminense’s Andre Trindade is still hopeful of moving to Anfield despite having his summer transfer request rejected. There has been suggestion that the club will continue to search for a long-term solution to the position.
Anfield Watch is aware that bolstering the defence will be a top priority in 2024, and players like AZ’s Yukinari Suguwara and Bayern Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie are among those being considered.
Carragher said, addressing Liverpool’s start more generally: “This season is off to a promising start. And it appears that this team he is putting together can perhaps do what his prior teams have in the first few weeks.