Injuries, transfer errors and behind the scenes uncertainty are just some of the reasons behind Liverpool's nightmare season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side chased silverware on four fronts during the 2021/22 campaign, winning a domestic cup double as they fell just short of landing a seventh European Cup and a 20th league title. However, it has been a radically different story this time around.
Out of all the cup competitions, the Reds now have a battle on their hands to finish inside the top four in what can only be described as an inconsistent Premier League campaign. While topics such as transfers, FSG’s ownership and Liverpool’s form have all been discussed at length over the past few months.
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Where has it all gone wrong for Liverpool this season? How do they avoid a repeat in the 2023-24 campaign? Do the Reds need Champions League football to lure Jude Bellingham to Anfield? Precisely how much will FSG give to Klopp to spend in the transfer market?
Our chief Liverpool writer Ian Doyle, who covers the Reds home and away and is privy to the whispers in the corridors of power at Anfield, addressed all these points and more in our latest Reds Q&A. And below is a round-up of the session held on Thursday afternoon.
BigPete8: Hi Ian, simple one for you pal. What do you think our chances are of signing Bellingham are?
Ian Doyle: I think they are a lot higher than the doom-mongers insist, but lower than the supreme optimists among the Liverpool fanbase.
Daryl876: Everyone wants expensive players. Why can't we buy talent that is cost effective? Like Mitoma for example.
ID: FSG and Klopp have worked together in getting cost-effective players for years. But they are operating in a different sphere now - and improving the squad immediately, as is needed in the summer, won't be cheap. There always remains room for clever buys but, as in 2018, it might be a summer Liverpool have to spend big.
Cgmoore: Hi Ian, thanks for doing this. Do you believe the director of sport rumours are off the mark seen as Edward’s was looking for a new challenge and Ward was not up to the task considering the Arthur deal?
ID: I genuinely think Edwards wanted a rest and a change as he'd been doing it for so long, and Ward realised how all-consuming the job was and fancied stepping back.
Baas: I live in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and our LFC supporters WhatsApp is over 100 strong. We all agree on one thing, and that is Klopp's game plan is same old same old. No variation. There does not seem to be a plan B. How is it that City, Arsenal, Spurs, etc can score and beat Bournemouth, but we can't? Klopp's tactics were worked out by opposition clubs two seasons ago.
ID: Liverpool have actually had 23 different forward lines this year in 40 games, with at least five variations of tactic. Liverpool did beat Bournemouth 9-0 earlier in the season, don't forget. Players make systems and the lack of much midfield availability has been the issue all season. The Reds haven't been able to do much.
Lioncity: Hi Ian, did both Ward and Graham decide to leave because they no longer felt empowered to do their jobs to the best of their ability as reported?
ID: Not that I'm aware of.
Jivebunny: Hello! 1) Is the media speculation, everywhere, regarding Jude Bellingham just going to put an awful lot of pressure on a still very young player's shoulders? 2) If the current bottom three clubs are going to be relegated, and that triggers a mass sale/departure, who should we look at? 3) Alisson has missed out on a national team inclusion - what's the likelihood he may look at going elsewhere, and if that happens, would Kelleher stay? (I like Big K a lot but can totally understand him wanting more playing time).
ID: If Bellingham can't cope with the media pressure of joining Liverpool, how is he going to cope if he ends up at Real Madrid? He's played for Dortmund for several years, played in a World Cup and the Champions League - I'm sure he will be perfectly fine. Regards the bottom three, James Ward-Prowse of Southampton would be useful at the right price, but West Ham midfielder Declan Rice might be too much. One of the Hammers goalkeepers could be of use. I would imagine Kelleher will leave this summer for the good of his own career - but if Alisson wants out, that would be a major, major surprise and send ructions through the club. Mind you, it would make Liverpool a lot of money.
Chandm: Hi Ian I just wanted to know what the situation is with Ryan Gravenberch after the report saying it's a done deal Thanks.
ID: He's one of many, many, many players Liverpool have been taking a look at.
Dannylee9: Hi Ian! What is Liverpool's transfer budget for the summer? Who do you think they will sign?
ID: Hi dannylee9. As I've answered elsewhere, there are too many variables at present for us to know the budget. And that will impact who they sign. So it would just be complete guesswork at the moment. But, personally speaking with my own view based on nothing other than my own feelings on the matter, I'd not be surprised if they signed Bellingham and Nunes at the very least.
SiSenor97: If Liverpool do not sign Jude Bellingham, do you see this as the catalyst to finally get the owners out? Wasted seasons to get a player only to then fail to sign him is ridiculous.
ID: If Liverpool don't sign Bellingham, I'm pretty sure it won't be the fault of the owners. And Bellingham was never leaving Dortmund before this summer anyway. Ultimately, Klopp wanted Tchouameni last year and it didn't happen, so he looked at other areas of the team.
Ian11: How close are we to any investment Ian? and what amount do you think will be available for the summer window or is that dependent on securing top 4...
ID: I like your name. Regards investment, only FSG know that and it would be counter-productive of them to say anything. But the fact John Henry mentioned to the ECHO recently that Liverpool have identified a number of potential investors suggests they are at least a fair bit of a way along the road.
Sean1993: Hi Doyle, what will our club's future be like especially after the Qatar sheikh close to takeover of Man united ? Admittedly most of fans is more concerned about it after last news about the club unlikely to sign Jude Bellingham because of the high price ? Please tell us your honest opinion.
ID: Hi sean1993, which was a good year. There has been no new news on Jude Bellingham, everyone knows he will be expensive and other clubs are interested. It's probably unwise of anyone to assume who will become the new owners of Manchester United. They are still undergoing that process and have a lot of interest.
Nanjelouis: Can we have a Liverpool WhatsApp group that we can chatting and updating other fans around the world?
ID: That's a bit beyond my remit, sorry.
Ynwa1986: Hi Ian.I won't ask Jude Bellingham question but is there any truth about interest in Asensio?
ID: That's not a name I've heard mentioned just yet. It's worth bearing in mind Liverpool have a longer list than usual regarding targets due to the increased number of variables - where they finish in the table, the funds they have, the demands of other clubs, the impact of the World Cup. So supporters might have to keep an open mind over the coming months.
Gordonlechef: Why do you suspect the sporting director search has been taking so long? If we're to believe that Ward's work is going through the end of the year, is Klopp and co going to take their player profiles into account, will the new sporting director have no say in those players? Seems like odd timing based on the information we've been provided up to this point.
ID: Liverpool are continuing to assess the best fit for the sporting director role, with the process being overseen by Klopp and CEO Billy Hogan. Anfield sources have been insistent for some time that Paul Mitchell, who is leaving Monaco, is not in the running for the role. It's worth pointing out, too, that Julian Ward will continue to work on recruiting players until he departs in the summer and it's likely most of the deals done in the next transfer window will owe much to Ward's groundwork. Klopp has the final say on signing players, with the targeting of them a collaborative effort by the recruitment team.
Ezramorrison: Useless discussions and talks. Doesn’t change the fact that we’ll always be catching up for every window. So what after these Q&A? Gives Klopp the funds needed? FSG going to change their modus operandi? Liverpool getting new owners who can compete in the market? Answer is nope. But status quo.
ID: One day Liverpool will have new owners. Klopp will be given some funds this summer, but as I don't know the precise funds he would like, I can't answer on his behalf. Talks and discussions are never useless provided they move a matter forward. Klopp explained a few weeks ago Liverpool have been talking about the summer transfer window since September.
Stilly: I’m so sick and tired of constant clickbait posts about Bellingham. Never happening. We won’t pay the money unless he is £60m. Why the constant fantasy? We need 4 to 5 players this summer. On what planet does Frugal Sports Group spend that kind of money? Would love to see it. #FSGOUT.
ID: Good afternoon Stilly. Liverpool are interested in signing Jude Bellingham, as has been reported for almost a year now. That is not fantasy - that is fact. Liverpool will indeed require a number of new players in the summer, but the departure of lots of big earners should make wages no issues, and of course transfer fees can be spread over several years. I wouldn't be too downhearted just yet - Liverpool know they require a big summer in the transfer market.
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