Wayne Rooney cited as pundit reveals Liverpool transfer fear
Paul Robinson has urged Liverpool to bring forward their plans to sign a midfielder following Thiago Alcantara’s injury.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England number one pointed to when Sir Alex Ferguson accelerated the signing of Wayne Rooney when manager of Man United.
Thiago went off injured in the second half of Liverpool’s draw at Fulham on Saturday.
According to The Athletic‘s James Pearce (8 August), the centre-midfielder will be sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring problem.
The Liverpool Echo claimed (10 August) that an addition in the engine room is unlikely despite injuries to Thiago, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Reds are instead expected to wait until the summer of 2023 to bolster their midfield.
When asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on Liverpool’s position, Robinson said: “There has to be somewhat of a continuity plan.
“Their midfield is ageing and Oxlade-Chamberlain, [James] Milner and [Naby] Keita are out of contract next summer.
“Klopp seemed quite adamant that he was not going to sign another midfielder this summer. Has his hand now been forced a little bit?
“I think he has to start look at bringing next summer’s plans forward. Sir Alex Ferguson did it with Wayne Rooney. He brought the deal forward 12 months.
“A similar situation could happen at Liverpool now that Thiago is injured.
“Thiago is such an important player for them. To miss a player of that quality is a big blow.
“He was going to be a huge part of the plans for this season. For him to miss the next couple of months is huge.”
In other news, a pundit has tipped Liverpool to axe Roberto Firmino after Jurgen Klopp claim pre-Palace.