With the Premier League champions for the first time ever arriving into the summer with a squad of peak players signed up to long-term deals and a host of exciting young talent, do Liverpool really need a big signing this summer?
For some fans, though, the answer is a resounding yes. Despite their dominant Premier League campaign, the fear is that Liverpool have become a touch too direct in their play. With a midfield often built around high energy athletes as opposed to pure technicians, they can lack a suave pass from the middle. Instead, their threat and penetration comes from the wing backs, with the midfield often doing the ‘hog work’ to keep the side balanced.
Liverpool, then, might be about to make one major signing this summer. With a back-up left-back arriving in the form of Greek international Kostas Tsimikas, the Reds were expected to sign a young back-up for Roberto Firmino and another wide option. While Rhian Brewster looks like fulfilling the need for the former, Ismaila Sarr of Watford is being heavily linked for the wide option.
In the central part of the park, though, the biggest deal to be done looks to be that of Thiago Alcantara. The Spaniard is heavily linked with a switch to Anfield, and is seemingly set on Liverpool as his next club. With Liverpool unlikely to do business unless they lose a midfielder (most likely Gini Wijnaldum to FC Barcelona), though, it could be a quiet and frustrating few weeks for Reds fans.
Given their dominant year last year, it might seem odd to see Liverpool fans unhappy with the clubs off-the-field progress. With a midfield short on creative flow, though, it’s the only signing that Liverpool really need this year. Will they make it, though? This summer has been uncharacteristically slow for a club that is often praised for their administrative quality.
