Liverpool are flatly not going to consider lesser alternatives to prime targets this summer, due to us being badly stung by that practice in the past.
Respected correspondent Chris Bascombe writes in the Telegraph that our failings of the 2014 transfer window, that left the club out of the Champions League for three years, will not be repeated.
Three years ago, we missed out on Alexis Sanchez, a host of backup options, and ended up appeasing supporters with Mario Balotelli – who played a big part in our miserable campaign.
“Klopp’s position is clear as he has not prepared a list of alternative targets because he too is steadfast in his belief Liverpool must only buy those who will enhance his side,” Bascome began. “He will not make the mistakes of the past when the Merseysiders worked their way through a list and made compromises in order to appease those desperate for fresh recruits.
“A situation similar to the summer of 2014 when, having failed to secure Alexis Sanchez, Liverpool approached numerous strikers before settling on Mario Balotelli – a deal which initially satisfied those thirsty for transfers but proved catastrophic in the long-term – will not happen under Klopp.”
If Bascombe’s right, it’s Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita, both, or bust… We’re not chasing alternative options to either our main centre-back or central midfield target and Klopp’s clearly happy to live or die by this approach – already content with his current squad anyway now Mo Salah has arrived.
As a result, don’t expect any incomings imminently. The deals for the two players mentioned above are extremely complicated because despite the money we’re willing to pay, the selling clubs are so far not budging.
Only through time and possible transfer requests will we see if this remains the case through to September.