Liverpool's era of challenging at the top of the Premier League is under massive threat. In fact, it could be nearing an end.
Apologies to all the Reds fans out there – but the club needs to either get with the plan or else the fans need to resign themselves to spending another generation on the outside, looking in. The harsh reality, as the current cycle of continued success comes to an end, is that Liverpool face obstacles not just from outside, but from within.
It seems incredible that only 12 months ago all the chatter was about a potential Quadruple. And, even though I expect a marked improvement at Anfield today against Arsenal, Reds fans have to look at the bigger picture.
And they’re not going to like what they see. I don’t, either.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were taken apart at Manchester City last week and, if we’re being honest, would also have been on the end of a hiding at Stamford Bridge, had Chelsea fielded an in-form striker. They got away with it – but for how long can the club keep pulling rabbits out of the hat?
The competition is now red-hot. Liverpool’s rivals are either more savvy, boast eye-watering resources or their squads have a better age profile.
The years under Klopp have been characterised by cute recruitment. Liverpool punched above their weight, landing Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for fees that even back then weren’t extraordinary.
But the value they provided on the pitch has been the cornerstone for the club’s success. You can also look at Andy Robertson as another gem mined for virtually nothing. But times have changed. Liverpool cannot go into the market today in the same way as City, Manchester United or even Newcastle United.
They were – were – getting 80 per cent of their signings right. That’s a helluva strike-rate.
And, even though players such as Luis Diaz, Stefan Bajcetic, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo should settle down – how many of them would get into City’s team? Or Arsenal’s?
Look at Liverpool’s midfield – it’s either too old or too young.
The best days of Jordan Henderson and James Milner are behind them and Fabinho is approaching 30.Then they’ve got Bajcetic, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones – we simply don’t know yet if they’re going to be good enough to play for Liverpool. That’s the reality of it. Yes, they have shown promise. But that’s it.
City double-down on wages. They know release clauses are manageable for five or six of the richest teams in Europe – and they are ready to pay more than anyone. Liverpool can’t go to those levels. They’re now creaking at the seams.
I don’t think that this current team has one midfielder that would displace Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey or Granit Xhaka in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Gunners side. With the greatest respect, I don’t think any of the Reds midfielders would be on Manchester United’s radar, either.
I’m not saying they’re poor players. The club was riding a wave because their recruitment punched above its weight, because they had a manager who was an extraordinary motivator and because they had team spirit that was classic, old-school Liverpool. But now the owners have a choice.
Come clean and admit they can’t compete – or sell the club. Even at £2billion, that would show a huge profit on the £300million they paid 13 years ago.
I don’t think there would be as much push-back from Liverpool fans as there was with Manchester United supporters and the Glazers – definitely not in terms of a minority investment. I think the Kop faithful respect the fact that FSG have helped them win every trophy available, while at the same time acknowledging they don’t have the kind of money that, say, the Qataris have.
In my opinion, Liverpool have over-performed. It’s asking a lot for them to keep going to the well, dropping the bucket and expecting it to come up full of quality, cut-price talent.
So now it is make-or-break time. They either get fresh investment and new owners – or come up with an alternative, radical recruitment plan.
Doing nothing guarantees getting left behind.
