Ian Wright rips into Liverpool’s transfer strategy after £77million ‘snub’
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Ian Wright has raised concerns about Liverpool's strategy in the transfer market after the Reds missed out on Croatia star Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City.
While Liverpool focused on strengthening their midfield during the summer transfer window, they were also linked with several defensive targets, including Gvardiol and Chelsea's Levi Colwill. However, the Reds ultimately decided to stick with their existing options, with the only notable change being the loan departure of centre-back Nat Phillips to Celtic.
Gvardiol, a boyhood Liverpool fan, was rumoured to be a potential signing for the club as he looked set to leave RB Leipzig. However, reports suggested that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was deterred by the high price tag attached to the player, snubbing the chance to sign him.
Instead, the 21-year-old joined Manchester City for a hefty fee of £77 million. Wright believes that Liverpool should have prioritised bringing a player of Gvardiol's calibre, especially considering the new hybrid role given to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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The former Arsenal striker expressed doubts about Joe Gomez and Joel Matip's suitability for the inverted full-back position and highlighted Liverpool's history of investing in top-quality defenders. "When you look at Liverpool down the years, they have brought in proper defenders," Wright told Premier League Productions (via the Liverpool ECHO).
"They paid for Virgil van Dijk and [Ibrahima] Konate. Andy Robertson. [Kostas] Tsimikas as well. Four players they have paid for, it’s not good enough for a club of that stature and what they are trying to do.
"I feel that Liverpool should have got a real top-end defender – someone like Josko Gvardiol. He was out there. You should try to go in."
Liverpool signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch over the summer to boost Klopp's options in midfield. The quartet all arrived on permanent deals.
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- Liverpool FC
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