Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has called the Anfield club's recent transfer strategy "wrong," as he reflects on the recent heavy spending from the Reds
Jamie Carragher has slammed Liverpool's transfer strategy
Jamie Carragher has slammed Liverpool's transfer strategy(Image: (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images))
Jamie Carragher has slammed Liverpool's recent transfer approach, claiming it is "wrong" that the club has fielded three players costing over $133 million this season.
It follows criticism of the club's transfer splurge over the past two summer transfer windows, which saw huge fees paid to sign top attacking talent — including World Cup superstar Bradley Barcola — while also trying to balance the backline.
While there was hope that after a Premier League title win two seasons ago, the team could kick on and dominate at the very top, it has instead left some glaring holes in the team.
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There have been concerns over both full-back positions, the long-term planning at center-back, the profiles of the midfield, and a misfiring attack that has led to inconsistency in performances and results for Liverpool.
Following a disappointing campaign last time out, Andoni Iraola was drafted in as the new head coach for this season, tasked with making a jumbled squad fit into a coherent whole, with a style of play and pressing principles that more closely resemble the glory days of Jurgen Klopp.
With another huge transfer outlay over the summer then following, there are still concerns about several key positions, and whether the manager will be able to get the most out of everyone along the way.
Carragher is concerned about Liverpool
Carragher is concerned about Liverpool(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
That has led to some questions about Liverpool's methodology, with Carragher believing that the transfer strategy on display in the past year or so is the wrong approach.
Writing in his column for The Telegraph, he said: "As things stand, we are in the midst of Anfield’s failed galacticos era. For Liverpool to become the first club in the world to field three £100m [$133 million] footballers is bewildering. To me, it was wrong.
"The foundation of the club’s success has been signing those with the talent and hunger to become Premier League and world stars after their arrival.
"Spending record fees on those who already have that reputation did not sit well with me a year ago. Nothing has changed my mind. Whatever Iraola achieves, no one will convince me that Liverpool have executed a well-conceived plan.
"No big club which has just won the title and is equipped to strengthen from the top expects to spend what Liverpool did and drop to fifth the next season. Now, the realistic and modest aim is to finish in the top four."
It underlines the tough task Iraola has, regardless of the figures surrounding the money spent, with the manager dealing with players and profiles on the pitch, rather than banknotes.
So far, it has been a mixed start to the campaign, with signs of some improvement and other signs that some things remain the same. While the outcome is still unknown for how his spell in charge will go, there is clearly a lot that needs to be fixed in the weeks and months ahead.