At 11pm on Friday, the transfer window shuts. Liverpool have this week to sign a defender and a midfielder or we’re not going to challenge for the biggest trophies.
It’s that simple. One signing wouldn’t be enough. The injury to Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk’s upcoming suspension leaves just the injury-prone, slightly dodgy pairing of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in defence, with Jarell Quansah the backup.
Wataru Endo has had a difficult start to his English football career, playing only 28 of his 86 minutes in a side of 11 players. It’s early days, but the 30-year-old Japanese appears to be physically and strategically behind. He cannot be our sole senior defensive midfielder for the season.
At St James’ Park, Darwin Nunez inspired a jubilant and magnificent comeback. It did, however, show the squad’s flaws as well as its areas of strength. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister are excellent additions, but we lost eight first-team players and a handful of teenagers on loan this summer. Endo and two nice ones aren’t enough.
Liverpool must back Jurgen Klopp. Now.
Newcastle win ‘a huge statement for Liverpool’published
Watch the video below as the panel on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club discuss the importance of Liverpool’s win at Newcastle on Sunday and whether they can challenge for the Premier League title.
Listen to The Monday Night Club in full here
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Will Nunez ‘boost’ help ‘kick Liverpool on’?published
Watch the video below as the panel on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club discuss Darwin Nunez and how the Liverpool striker has adapted to the Premier League.
Listen to Monday Night Club in full here
Transfer news: Al-Ittihad continue Salah negotiationspublished
Al-Ittihad are ready to test Liverpool’s resolve amid their insistence Egypt forward Mohamed Salah is not for sale with a $162m (£129m) bid. (CBS Sports), external
The Saudi side are also interested in Liverpool’s England defender Joe Gomez, but the Reds have no intention of selling him. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Klopp’s side are pushing to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Belgian winger Johan Bakayoko, with Everton, Burnley and Crystal Palace also interested in the 20-year-old. (Football Insider)