Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool fans are in for a long summer as the wait for two priority positions to be addressed continues.
The Reds legend has been at hand to make a couple of predictions on what happens next regarding proposed moves for Naby Keita and Virgil van Dijk.
RB Leipzig’s stern insistence that Keita wouldn’t be sold at any price recently resulted in Liverpool deciding not to return with a third bid, having already seen two offers of £57million and £66million rejected.
A deal for Van Dijk has been similarly complicated with the club having been forced to apologise for an apparent illegal pursuit before releasing a statement ‘ending all interest’ in the player.
That said, a move for the Dutchman appears to still be on the cards with the player himself, notably keen on an Anfield switch, having informed Southampton of his desire to leave this summer.
Carragher has offered a mixed outlook on what he believes will come of both situations.
“Regarding Keita, I don’t think that Klopp will go out and buy another midfielder. I think he would be willing to wait until next season as supposedly Keita has a buyout clause,” he told 5times.co.uk.
“I reckon the Van Dijk saga will go right down to the wire. I don’t think Liverpool have ended all their interest in him at all. Nevertheless, if we go into the new season with what we’ve got now, I think there will be a lot of trepidation amongst the Liverpool fans.”
“I’m sure the club are working 24/7 behind the scenes to bring players in, not only to keep the supporters happy, but to strengthen the squad for the big season ahead.”
Liverpool will now put their interest in Keita on hold until next summer, when his £48million release clause can be activated, as Carragher touched on.
It remains to be seen whether alternatives have in fact been lined up, although as far as incomings are concerned, the immediate focus will undoubtedly be on a move for Van Dijk.
A frustrating transfer saga looks set to ramble on.
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