If Jurgen Klopp could roll back the years to the summer of 2020 – when Liverpool themed ribbons adorned the Premier League trophy for the very first time – maybe the Anfield legend would have pushed for further first-team additions.
Because, after ending that three-decade long wait to reclaim their place at the summit of English football, Liverpool brought in only Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara alongside back-up left-back Kostas Tsimikas
Of course, Klopp and the rest of the Anfield chiefs could not have foreseen the ACL injury that would rule Virgil van Dijk out of the following campaign from September onwards.
Former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher did, however, feel his old employers had left themselves a little vulnerable without sufficient cover or squad depth. The Reds were famously forced into ill-fated January deals for Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies a few months later, after all.
And, five years on, Carragher is keen to see Liverpool learn from what he felt were the mistakes of 2020.
Jamie Carragher wants Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez at Liverpool
The one-time Champions League winner feels that Arne Slot needs up to six signings this summer, with at least two of those good enough to command a place in the first XI.
According to reports, Liverpool like Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, alongside Vitality Stadium teammates Antoine Semenyo and Milos Kerkez. Carragher feels that the latter – Andoni Iraola’s all-action left-back – is the one Slot needs the most, especially with Andy Robertson clearly no longer the same buccaneering force of old.
“We have got to be realistic. And we’ve got to remember [director] Richard Hughes came from Bournemouth,” Carragher points out. “He brought Kerkez to the club, the left-back who has been fantastic.
“He obviously likes him. He must have a relationship with the player and the agent. So that one, I look at that and I think it probably makes sense.”
RTK have been informed that Liverpool value Hungary international Milos Kerkez at around £40 million. Whether Bournemouth feel the same, however, only time will tell.
Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike named ideal Alexander Isak alternative for Liverpool
Carragher wonders if The Reds could use Caoimhin Kelleher as part of a potential swap deal. He is also hoping to see a number nine arrive with the elegant and increasingly-ruthless Hugo Ekitike an affordable alternative to the exorbitant Alexander Isak
I mean, the striker everyone would love is Isak,” Carragher begins. “I don’t think we are in a position where there is absolutely great centre-forwards all across Europe and you can take your pick.
“Do I think Liverpool could buy Isak? I don’t know. I don’t know if Liverpool would want to pay that type of money for one player. I don’t think that’s the model. I think the model is ‘We will get the next Isak’. I don’t think they’ll absolutely break the bank.
“There’s the lad at Eintracht Frankfurt, who scored against Tottenham [in the Europa League last week]. Ekitike, that smacks to me the type of player Liverpool would sign.”
Formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and a one-time Newcastle United target, Ekitike now has 21 goals for the current campaign. The silky Frenchman has stepped up to fill the void created by Omar Marmoush following Manchester City’s January purchase of the departed Eintracht Frankfurt talisman.
Frankfurt reportedly believe they can command £70 million for Ekitike. A considerable sum, that goes without saying. But with Newcastle unwilling to let Alexander Isak go for anything apart from a ‘crazy’ fee, Liverpool will have little choice but to turn to alternatives.
“He’s 22, he’s at a club you think would probably be a selling club,” Carragher adds, the 2022 Europa League champions having already cashed in on Marmoush, Randal Kolo Muani, Sebastien Haller, Luka Jovic, Ante Rebic and Andre Silva in the recent past.
“[Ekitike] has done really well there. He went to PSG as a young boy after lighting up the French league. It didn’t work out for him, but he’s still really young, He’s got great numbers this season, and it almost he looks to me the type of player Liverpool would sign rather than maybe going for an Isak.
“A centre-forward is a must. I imagine the front part of the team will be the part of the team which needs more surgery than others