Steve Nicol has urged Liverpool to reconsider what he believes is a ‘weird’ transfer pursuit, given the current composition of the squad at Anfield.
Even after the recent acquisition of Hugo Ekitike, the Reds continue to be strongly linked with a potential British record swoop for Alexander Isak, with reports of a £100m offer being lined up for the Newcastle striker.
That comes amid a shortage of centre-backs in the squad, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate the only natural senior options in that area after the sale of Jarell Quansah and the injury to Joe Gomez.
Nicol fears Liverpool have their transfer priorities wrong
Speaking on ESPN FC, Nicol questioned Liverpool’s rumoured pursuit of the Swedish marksman and insists that they should be prioritising a move for a new centre-back instead.
The former Reds defender said: “I think it’s really strange that, if tomorrow Liverpool sign Isak for £120m, I’m not going to be dancing on the table, which seems a little weird… I want a centre-back. Had Ekitike not been at Liverpool, I would be dancing on the table if you turned around tomorrow and said we’d signed Isak.
“The fact that they have Ekitike now… it kind of feels like something you don’t need, when there’s a big hole that needs to be filled, yet you could go and spend £120m on something you probably don’t need. That’s kind of weird.”
Does Nicol have a valid point?
Nicol’s view mightn’t be universally welcomed among Liverpool fans who are understandably excited about the prospect of signing the second-highest scorer in the 2024/25 Premier League, but his pragmatic stance is easy to justify.
Even after the tragic death of Diogo Jota and the sale of Luis Diaz, the Reds still have plenty of depth in attack as things stand, albeit that the situation could change if the likes of Federico Chiesa or Ben Doak were to depart in the next month.
Although we have one of the best centre-back pairings in the world in Van Dijk and Konate, it’d be risky in the extreme to bank on both of them being available for the entire season. Even once Gomez regains full fitness, we still seem to be short in that area of the pitch.
Isak might be the luxury item in the marketplace, but someone like Marc Guehi is currently a more practical target to address the needs of the squad. It’s like craving a Rolls-Royce but realising that a less expensive (but still not bargain-basement) car is the more advisable purchase.
Nicol’s argument is valid, even if it mightn’t be what everyone wants to hear. However, as we know by now, the Anfield hierarchy won’t be swayed one bit by public opinion when it comes to determining Liverpool’s transfer strategy.
Let’s just hope that, whatever happens between now and the end-of-summer deadline, there isn’t cause for regret later in the season.
The most interesting part is that Nicol has a point for once, he is usually so off the mark he could almost be American. Liverpool should put in a £40m offer for Ronald Araujo of Barca. They are in financial difficulty and (apparently) worried that he might end up at RM, so might be quite willing to agree to a sale. That would be a massive signing, as alongside Virgil, the back line would be incredible.
FSG are quite opportunistic in their approach to transfers, if there is even a slim chance of prising Araujo from Barca, it’s well worth making an approach.
You made a very good point,a defender that’s what Liverpool needed right now
Im 100% sure Liverpool will purchase a defender before the end of the window and that defender is Guehi. Its a relatively easy transfer to complete. Like Isak Guehi only wants to join Liverpool Palace want 40 we say 30 so theyll meet somewhere on the middle.
LFC will regret it if they don’t sign anyone at centre half or 6. 🤯
Fair comment from Nicol.
What it appears to come down to i.m.o is whether FSG have organised a financial plan comprehensively. We’re clearly bringing in more revenue and had a thrifty season last year, hence the unexpected splurge.
The Guehi deal could still happen and perhaps Slot’s keeping his cards close re. any use of Gomez and Endo ?
There’s also prospects coming through from the academy.
The other concern is on the right.
We won’t have Mo’ forever, Harvey, Doak and Federico also aren’t guaranteed to stay for next season.
He does have a point and I for one is a red that is starting to get worried if we don’t start to sign CB’s. We could sign Araujo and Leoni and Geuhi for 100m. Just saying. Everyone saw what Rio can do at LW. YNWA
I hope Isak can stand in at CB too for that price. Cause that’s what we need!!! YNWA
We don’t need Isak pls. Use that money to keep Ibu, buy a Central Defender and another young striker
I don’t agree. Goals win games, Isak guarantees 30 goals a season in this Liverpool team. If Arsenal had him they would walk the league title. Never going to get a better chance of getting a top class striker, no real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Munich or Manchester city in for him. Now we have a bid we need to get him whatever the cost, otherwise we will have eggs on our face. Yes we need a central defender, but we need Isak to take the burden off Salah.