Former Liverpool star Michael Owen has praised the club for a key transfer decision that was taken in the summer, particularly when it came to the balance of the midfield
TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool
Michael Owen has discussed Liverpool's transfer business(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Michael Owen has praised Liverpool for not buying too many players to strengthen the quality in depth, believing that it will provide an opportunity for the team's youngsters to impress.
It follows concerns that have been raised over the size of the overall group of players available to Andoni Iraola, particularly due to his style of play. The manager is well-known for his intense, pressing style of play, but that could require plenty of options available to him, considering the toll it can take on the stars' bodies in an ever-increasing fixture schedule.
Instead, Liverpool relatively trimmed the squad in the summer, which was perhaps best summed up by Curtis Jones leaving without a midfield replacement being signed after.
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While fans were not sure of that decision at the time, and doubts persist as the season continues to ramp up, former striker Owen believes it was the right call.
Speaking to TeamTalk, he said: "I think there are a couple of good youngsters, and it is not the worst thing to trim your squad players and bring them through and try, you don’t want to block a pathway.
“I wouldn’t have thought they needed to buy squad players. If they can sign someone to come straight in, then fantastic, but I think the young kids coming through are good enough. The hard thing for any club is you try to strengthen, and you need a really good player to become available to do that.
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TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool
(Image: Getty)
“I would be more concerned: how much do you want to spend? Just be concerned to get them purring again, and let’s get them playing well again.”
The pathway being open for Liverpool's youngsters is certainly a positive for the Reds, with Iraola certainly the pragmatic kind of manager who will make use of the options at his disposal.
Rio Ngumoha has already made himself a regular in the team, while Trey Nyoni appears to be the next academy option to do so, with Jones's exit giving him the space and room to compete for a place.
Lewis Koumas is another who is looking to make his mark, in a season that could see plenty of players emerge to become important options for the future.
That could help the Reds create value within the squad once again, after years of having a settled squad that has since seen plenty of money spent to bring through the next crop of talent to win the top honors once again.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will come to regret the decision when it comes to the end of the season, with results set to dictate how the campaign will be viewed.