Whelan issues ‘huge’ Liverpool transfer verdict as new details emerge
Noel Whelan has claimed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hasn’t been “let down” in the transfer market despite their “disjointed” start to the new campaign.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested injury absences mean the Reds are finding it hard to recapture their dominant form of the past seasons.
Liverpool fielded an aging midfield featuring veterans James Milner and Jordan Henderson during the 2-1 defeat by Man United last week (22 August).
Klopp has since revealed that the Merseysiders will look to sign a new midfielder in the dying embers of the summer transfer window – having previously ruled out a new arrival.
Liverpool have recorded a net spend of £212.5million over the past five years, with Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle, West Ham, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Wolves all recording a higher outlay (per Transfermarkt).
The Reds have made three signings so far this summer – with Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho, and Calvin Ramsay all making the move to Anfield.
However, Whelan suggested Liverpool’s relative lack of transfer activity has not been to blame for their early-season slump.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t think the transfers have let them down.
“They’re just missing a few huge players, particularly in that midfield. They have freshened up their squad significantly in the last four and a half years.
“They’ve looked a bit disjointed at times – things haven’t quite clicked the way we saw last season.
“I don’t think they’ve got going yet. They’re treading water at the moment, and just trying to find that form that has been so consistent in the past few years.”
In other news, pundit claims Jurgen Klopp is “in the market” for “top” player as a late-window signing expected.