Liverpool have undoubtedly been one of the best-run sides in the English top flight over the last decade, with their earnings and performance levels soaring, particularly after the arrival of Jurgen Klopp.
The German made it clear, however, that the time has come for the club to put its money where its mouth is and ‘throw proven quality’.
“We always had to really look at: ‘What do we gain? And are we around that in the end? That was always the situation and that was clear,” the 55-year-old told reporters at his pre-match news conference, as reported by The Telegraph.
“We all know the two biggest transfers in the past, Ali and Virgil, we all know how it happened. We have money from Barcelona [for Philippe Coutinho] and spent it wisely, I’d say.
“How we did so far got us to where we are. Penalty fee. But nothing is cheaper. There is inflation for all of us, and football too. Sometimes you have to spend. We are very happy to give all our young children a chance. I am very positive about the impact they will have in the future, whenever it starts. like harvey [Elliott] now calvin [Ramsay], Ben Doak, Bobby Clark, really interesting. All are.
“But around you, from time to time, you have to bring proven quality. And in an ideal world, they are also young.
For the Reds, that picture looks very clear; Jude Bellingham is right at the top of the heap for potential immediate class shots, though he’ll set them back around £131.7m (assuming the midfielder doesn’t enjoy a stellar World Cup).
READ MORE: What FSG’s backroom will mean for Liverpool’s potential sale – The Athletic
Talking about the possible outright sale of Liverpool Football Club by FSG is potentially timely in that regard, given that we can hardly afford to dwell on the England international (incredibly gifted as he is).
We can reasonably expect to lose as many as three midfielders in the summer window when James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contracts expire.
It can be argued that they are simply ‘bodies’ to complete the team, but a midfield aged beyond that should set off alarm bells when it comes to the future of that department.
If ever investment was needed in midfield, it is now.
EOTK INSIDER: Does FSG want to sell Liverpool? What is really going to happen?… and more
