Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Liverpool to make a 'statement signing' after seeing their performance on Monday night.
The lowdown: Injury hit
It's been a rather inauspicious start to the 2022/23 campaign for the Reds, albeit Jurgen Klopp's squad has been ravaged by injuries in the opening weeks of the season.
Thiago, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino were all absent for the 1-1 draw against Crystal Place this week, whilst Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Joe Gomez were all only fit enough for a place on the bench.
In light of the bereft options and with champions Manchester City making a perfect start, one pundit has urged Liverpool to act in the window to avoid their rivals running away with the title...
The latest: 'Statement signing'
Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Aston Villa frontman and talkSPORT contributor Agbonlahor was not impressed by what he's seen this week, criticising several of the individual displays vs Crystal Palace and calling for a big money move.
He said: “It could be a case of forgetting Man City, you’re battling Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs. You look at Liverpool and think it’s them and Man City but if I’m Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs, I’m not frightened of them at the moment.
“[James] Milner did OK against Palace and you look at his age and he’s not one you are going to be playing every game. [Jordan] Henderson came on as well, Fabinho looked poor, for me. I’m not a real fan of Fabinho.
“I just feel they need a couple of players in the midfield. We just don’t want it to be Man City running off with it again. Four points is a lot and you don’t see Man City, when you watch them, dropping points.
“Liverpool have got a decision to make in the next couple of weeks about who they are going to bring in because that squad isn’t good enough at the moment. I do like Elliott but can you rely on him? He’s looked good but I just feel they need a more experienced midfielder in there.
“Elliott can come on in games but Thiago has got his injury problems, Fabinho looks poor. Liverpool need to make a statement signing in midfield for me. If they don’t, it’s going to cost them.”
The verdict: One needed?
Although Klopp has previously stated that there would be no reactionary signings, the current situation has worsened significantly in recent weeks and with Naby Keita reportedly unsettled at Anfield, hands could be forced in the final two weeks of the summer window.
Whilst a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham will seemingly have to wait until next year, adding another option to the ranks as a stopgap would be a welcome move from the Reds.
Names such as Ismael Bennacer, Marcelo Brozovic and new Wolves signing Matheus Nunes have all been touted as potential options and could well be explored by Julian Ward should the stance from the red half of Merseyside alter.