KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Is this Transfer Window a Myth?

So there has been plenty been said about Liverpool's transfer dealings this window. Many citing it as the best window we've had in decades, others saying its a real statement of intent and ambition from our club for this upcoming campaign. But, when you look at things a little bit closely...is it really?

For me there were 2 things that meant the difference between Liverpool being contenders and Liverpool being European champions last season. 1. The goalkeeping position. and 2. Strength in depth. At the tail end of undoubtedly, one of the most exciting seasons we've experienced under klopp culminating in the unfortunate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions league final, never were those two factors more apparent than in that game. A half crocked, injury depleted squad and a keeper making two (arguably three) absolute howlers that cost us the game.

Now before we go any further, I do believe we have sorted reason number 1 out. Allison, at least statistically, has been fantastic for Roma. His keeper/sweeping and brilliant distribution suits us down to the ground. As good as his stats may be however, after watching him play I'm absolute certain he will be giving us all some heart attacks this coming campaign...as well as some bad gaffs as well. That's the type of keeper he is. He plays on the edge and takes risk..but ultimately...MUCH better than Karius.

Now we get to the problem that for me...still persists.
Yes, Keita, Fabinho and shaq have been, on the face of at least, brilliant and shrewd signings respectively. When we temper them however, against the players that have left and/or unavailable for us this campaign... I'm not so sure the window is as mind blowingly positive as people are making out. To illustrate what I mean, I'll draw the comparisons between our additions to those that arnt here/available anymore.

Outfield Players In: Keita, Fabinho, Shaq
Outfield Players out/unavailable: Coutinho, Can, Ox

Fabinho: - Can Replacement?

Ok so Fabinho. On paper a very good player for the DM position and most likely bought as a replacement for Emre Can. Now in terms of direct comparison its hard to say as both play slightly differently and Fabinho is as yet unproven in the premier league. One point I would make though is that, if price is any indication of quality, considering we bought Fabinho for £40 million, do we believe we would have sold Emre Can for a comparative or larger figure if he didnt leave on a free? In today's market, I believe we would have done so very easily. Although inconsistent at times, when on song was arguably our best midfielder. Still young and able to improve, it at least puts into question whether this is an upgrade in this position at all. Meaning on the whole, you'd have to say we haven't improved the first 11 with this signing, merely maintained it. I think its quite clear that this is a signing made out of necessity as a result of Can not signing a new deal than a signing made with any intent or "ambition".

Shaquiri -- Bargain replacement for Coutinho?

Now in terms of comparison Shaquiri is the closest of the incoming players in terms of how he plays and positions he takes up on the pitch to coutinho. In this regard I dont think anyone would argue that Shaq is not in the same league as Coutinho. Coutinho is an infinitely better player both objectively and statistically. If Shaq was bought as a replacement for Phil then this is a huge downgrade and definitely does not improve the first 11.

Keita -- Ox??

Now this isnt really a fair comparison, mainly due to the fact that both players are very different in how they approach the game. In terms of their roles in the team however, they both play in similiar areas of the pitch. That being said, in terms of quality and effectiveness *as a midfielder* I would probably give it to Keita. However, the caveat to this is, with the injury to OX and the departure of Coutinho, I really think there is a hole in the squad in terms of either creativity, or direct penetrating runs into the box that Ox or Phil offered, respectively. Although Keita is capable of both of these things, but not in the same way both Ox and Coutinho. When we signed Keita last year it was one I very much welcomed. I thought it was a shrewd buy, what with Milner not getting any younger and lallana being inconsistent/injury prone. In that regard considering Milner's age and the current make-up of the team...there is enough there to make the argument that his signing is again, born out of necessity rather than ambition.

There is much talk about our recent outlay this transfer window as well. Figures being quoted at around 200 million for this past january and this transfer window. When we look at Klopps Net spend during his Tenure though, it comes to £130 million for the 3 years he's been here. You divide that by the 6 transfer windows there has been, it comes to an average of 21.6 million per window....and this isnt even taking into account the 100 million they are planning to recoup by selling some of our fringe players at the end of this one. Not exactly MASSIVE investment, especially when you consider the increase in revenues we've recently got from both the TV deal and the CL success we've had.

In conclusion, when I consider the transfer window I believe we have solved the 1st problem for the most part. Allison is definitely an improvement on Karius. When I look at the squad however, I see very much the same problem in terms of the first team outfield players. We have a very very good first 11 who when fit and all accounted for, is capable of beating any other team comfortably. You scratch a little bit further down however and there is a significant drop off in quality in key areas. We lack quality cover in the CB area and the Left back area. We also lack any *reliable* and *quality* cover for Firmino up top. In the cold light of day, it must be said that this again, is a squad assembled to consolidate top 4 and maybe do well in one of either the domestic cups or the CL from what I can see. I just dont see the adequate quality to significantly push City for the Premier league title.

These are my views. Would love to hear a rebuttal or thoughts on it. Would love to be convinced wrong. Long time reader and contributor returning from a hiatus.

Cheers.

or Spangly!

I’ll concede that there are unfair comparisons between players, however I was only drawing those comparisons as per those who have come in and those that have left. I suppose it boils down to the second issue I believe is why we never won anything last year. And that’s strength in depth. You could make an argument that we have improved our first 11. But when multiple injuries hit, as they will tend to do at the end of the season and especially with Klopp’s style of play, will we see the wheels start to come off again? Will we just about get over the line as we have done in previous seasons? The thing I fear is that with can going, Milner getting on, phil gone and now ox out for the season. Are these signings made out of necessity? Are we again, just set up to scrape into top 4? Because we are still aways off of City in my mind.