Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has his concerns, but is confident that his old team will progress…
Jamie Carragher has told Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in no uncertain terms that he needs to stop buying for the future, if he is to maintain the club’s encouraging upward momentum.
SEE MORE:
Grouchy Chelsea boss slams retired Liverpool pair Jamie Carragher & Graeme Souness
Swansea striker set to return for Liverpool game, ten days after worrying collapse
Liverpool transfer news
The Reds have been in fine form so far this season, but face the prospect of losing a number of their more established stars – most notably captain Steven Gerrard, who is set to join LA Galaxy – at the end of the season.
With that in mind, our former defender has suggested Rodgers would do better to spend this summer buying players that can make an immediate impact on his squad, rather than continuing to focus on youth.
Carragher, who was quoted by the Daily Mirror, said: “There is that thing with Liverpool, I have felt they are always buying players with potential. I think in terms of looking to the future, it looks rosy, but you don’t want to be continually looking ‘oh this team in three years time’.
“You want to see what they’re like next season, so maybe buy two or three players at 25 or 26 to go straight into the team. You don’t want to go to the summer and buy another three 20-year-olds and always be looking what it is going to be like tomorrow. We want it today.”
That’s not to say Carragher hasn’t been impressed with his old club. Liverpool have been the best team in the country since the turn of the year, with several young players – such as Raheem Sterling, Emre Can, Alberto Moreno, Jordon Ibe and Lazar Markovic – playing an integral part in our change of fortunes.
Indeed, he was quick to stress that Liverpool’s young squad has been an advantage this year, adding: “I think Liverpool are in a good place for next season when you look at the results when Stevie has been out.”
“Their young squad is a good thing – they had a very young side against City, and they were so impressive I questioned the age of the City team afterwards.
“You look at someone like Jordan Henderson who in the way he plays now is more ambitious with his passing, getting more goals, thinking he is the leader because he has the armband.
“I think Skrtel of late has been a leader in the way he plays in the centre of defence. People are talking about Emre Can as well. He has that physical stature, he looks like a leader in the way he plays.
“I think Liverpool are in a good place when you look at the results when Stevie has been out. Great players have gone before and great players will come again as we’ve seen. That will be the same with Stevie.”