While Chelsea apparently commits to spending £604.7 million on 18 new players this season. Under new owner Todd Boehly, criticism of Liverpool’s very conservative transfer strategy under owners FSG grows. We will discuss how Darwin Nunez is vital for Liverpool.
When signing Darwin Nunez (£64m), Calvin Ramsay (£4m), Fabio Carvalho (£5m), Cody Gakpo (£37m), and Arthur Melo (£3.9m loan fee), the Reds initially spent £113.9m during the 2022–23 season. Jurgen Klopp’s team didn’t start as far behind the Londoners. Of course, having nearly won an unprecedented quadruple last year and every major award since 2019.
After all, they had already constructed their side. Contrary to Boehly’s scattergun transfer strategy, FSG and Klopp have never resembled the cliché kid in a candy store.
At the beginning of Klopp’s first full season in charge, Liverpool brought in Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum, Ragnar Klavan, and Loris Karius for a combined £69.8 million, with Joel Matip and Alex Manninger also signing on free transfers. Their biggest transfer expenditure was the £174.25 million. They spent on Naby Keita, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Alisson Becker in the summer of 2018. Liverpool also spent a lot on Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool’s focus on Jude Bellingham
Of course, both records might be smashed in the summer as the Reds plan a midfield makeover. If they are successful in signing their top target, Joshua Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, it would likely set a new club record for transfer fees of over £100 million.
Any activity at Anfield will, however, be insignificant in comparison to what is happening at Stamford Bridge. But, more teams than just Chelsea are highlighting the Reds’ weaknesses in the transfer market in comparison.
After adding 11 players in the course of a year, Newcastle United increased their expenditure. That too under the Saudi Public Investment Fund to £261.3m in January. This would entail spending a club-record £63 million on Alexander Isak. Also £45 million on Anthony Gordon, and £40 million on Bruno.
Tyrell Malacia ($14.7 million), Lisandro Martinez ($57.5 million), Casemiro ($70 million), and Antony ($86.3 million) were all purportedly acquired by Manchester United. In the summer along with the free-agent signing of Christian Eriksen. Not mentioned are the additional loan fees needed for Marcel Sabitzer, Jack Butland, Martin Dubravka, and Wout Weghorst.
Tottenham would spend £188.4 million on 11 new hires, including club record-breaking Richarlison for £60 million. If Dejan Kulusevski, Clement Lenglet, Arnaut Danjuma, and Pedro Porro’s loan deals become permanent, the cost would go up even more. Even Arsenal, who hasn’t enjoyed the benefits of Champions League football since 2016–17.
Darwin Nunez and his Liverpool journey
Throughout the Reds’ troubles this season, there have been instances when criticism of Liverpool’s new attackers has surfaced. Nunez’s Anfield career got off to a rocky start. Darwin Nunez committed a series of goal-scoring errors. While Gakpo initially split between two duties.
But now that they both have a rhythm, Klopp has found a solution that works. It used to be so difficult to replace Liverpool’s illustrious front three. But now that Firmino is certain to follow Mane out the door. The Reds may already have their replacements for the next ten years. Their next attacking dilemma will therefore be finding a long-term replacement for Salah, but with Diaz and Jota only reaching their primes and youngsters like Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon, and Ben Doak grabbing attention, such a player may already be at Anfield.
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