Steve Nicol has urged Liverpool to rethink what he believes is a ‘bizarre’ switch pursuit, given the present composition of the squad at Anfield.
Even after the latest acquisition of Hugo Ekitike, the Reds proceed to be strongly linked with a possible British file swoop for Alexander Isak, with experiences of a £100m supply being lined up for the Newcastle striker.
That comes amid a scarcity of centre-backs within the squad, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate the one pure senior choices in that space after the sale of Jarell Quansah and the harm to Joe Gomez.
Nicol fears Liverpool have their switch priorities incorrect
Talking on ESPN FCNicol questioned Liverpool’s rumoured pursuit of the Swedish marksman and insists that they need to be prioritising a transfer for a brand new centre-back as a substitute.
The previous Reds defender stated: “I feel it’s actually unusual that, if tomorrow Liverpool signal Isak for £120m, I’m not going to be dancing on the desk, which appears a little bit bizarre… I need a centre-back. Had Ekitike not been at Liverpool, I might be dancing on the desk in case you circled tomorrow and stated we’d signed Isak.
“The truth that they’ve Ekitike now… it seems like one thing you don’t want, when there’s an enormous gap that must be stuffed, but you possibly can go and spend £120m on one thing you most likely don’t want. That’s sort of bizarre.”
(Picture by Alex Grimm/Getty Pictures)
Does Nicol have a legitimate level?
Nicol’s view mightn’t be universally welcomed amongst Liverpool followers who’re understandably excited concerning the prospect of signing the second-highest scorer within the 2024/25 Premier League, however his pragmatic stance is simple to justify.
Even after the tragic dying of Diogo Jota and the sale of Luis Diaz, the Reds nonetheless have loads of depth in assault as issues stand, albeit that the state of affairs may change if the likes of Federico Chiesa or Ben Doak had been to depart within the subsequent month.
Though we’ve got the most effective centre-back pairings on the earth in Van Dijk and Konate, it’d be dangerous within the excessive to financial institution on each of them being accessible for all the season. Even as soon as Gomez regains full health, we nonetheless appear to be quick in that space of the pitch.
Isak may be the posh merchandise within the market, however somebody like Marc Guehi is at present a extra sensible goal to handle the wants of the squad. It’s like craving a Rolls-Royce however realising {that a} cheaper (however nonetheless not bargain-basement) automotive is the extra advisable buy.
Nicol’s argument is legitimate, even when it mightn’t be what everybody needs to listen to. Nevertheless, as we all know by now, the Anfield hierarchy gained’t be swayed one bit by public opinion on the subject of figuring out Liverpool’s switch technique.
Let’s simply hope that, no matter occurs between now and the end-of-summer deadline, there isn’t trigger for remorse later within the season.
