Thread by @WhattaHit

Liverpool had the chance to address ALL of their urgent squad needs this summer for a net spend of £160m-180m. So far, they’ve failed miserably.

A short breakdown 🧵

Last season was Liverpool’s most deflating and disappointing season under Jürgen Klopp. It’s clear that a proper rebuild was needed & that there was not enough turnover & refreshing of the squad in the summers prior.

This summer, the agenda was clear:

Trim the squad of deadwood; bring in young, fresh, energetic and hungry players, and establish a new feeling around the club.

A feeling of ambition, of new desire, and of excitement, to be a part of Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0.

Prior to the summer, Liverpool’s squad still had several world-class talents, all over the pitch, to build around. Alisson, Trent, Konaté, VVD & Salah is a fantastic core.

Jones is excellent, too & Liverpool’s attacking depth (Diaz, Gakpo, etc) is one of the best in the league.

But it was apparent that the squad needed at least five additions in key areas, namely:

— RCB back-up
— LCB/LB hybrid to compete with Robertson
— A new starting DM
— A new starting RCM
— LCM competition with Jones

Liverpool identified two of their needs quickly & brought in Mac Allister and Szoboszlai - two astute additions which improve the squad significantly.

Szo at RCM, Mac Allister at LCM.

But in the now 54 days (!!!) since announcing their second signing, Szoboszlai, Liverpool have failed to address any of their other needs, with Endo not being good enough to be a starter for a team that should aim to compete for the PL.

This is shameful, particularly when there were fitting options available on the market.

Liverpool could have addressed all of their needs for a net spend of maximum £180m, probably less.

— RCB: Tosin Adarabioyo
— LCB/LB: Gvardiol/Inacio/Lukeba/Theate
— DM: Rice/Caicedo/Lavia/Doucouré
— RCM: Szoboszlai
— LCM: Mac Allister

It was unlikely from the start that Liverpool would sign any of Gvardiol, Rice or Caicedo given the money involved and the players’ preferences, but given their stand-out profiles, these should have been identified as targets & inquired about, before moving on to Tier 2 talents.

Looking at it more realistically, Liverpool could’ve had this summer, if they moved early & with clarity.

— Adarabioyo: £20m
— Inacio / Lukeba: £45m / £30m
— Doucouré: £70m
— Szoboszlai: £60m
— Mac Allister: £40m

Total spend: £220-250m when considering slight deviations.

Offset by player sales:

— Fabinho: £40m
— Henderson: £10m

And Matip and Tsimikas should have been shown the door this summer, if Liverpool’s management team was capable of acting with more ruthlessness and clarity.

Being realistic here:

— Matip: £5m
— Tsimikas: £10m

Total raised in sales: ~£65m

Not to mention the wages freed up by several free departures including Firmino, Keita, Milner & Ox.

Total spend: ~£240m
Total received: ~£65m

Net spend: ~£175m

Yes, a lot of money for Liverpool, but necessary and reasonable given 1) the lack of spending in the last 4-5 years, 2) the size & revenue of LFC, 3) the desperate need to refresh the squad, 4) the fact that this squad would be PL title contenders, with proper coaching & tactics.

This summer it has appeared as though Liverpool’s recruitment team lacked clarity in their vision. Some needs were identified & addressed, while others were not.

Liverpool were not ruthless. Adrian (takes away home-grown spot), Matip & Tsimikas are still there.

Not all of Liverpool’s needs were identified & even when they did identify them (DM), they acted strangely, unsure of their primary target (Caicedo, Lavia, Endo), causing them to miss out & scramble.

All of this when Liverpool could’ve assembled a squad capable of challenging for the title for a realistic net spend of £160-175m.

Instead, for at least the third summer in a row, Liverpool look likely to sell themselves short, when only one or two more key additions are needed.