Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool need to address two key areas if they are challenge for the Premier League title – and believes their best chance of top-flight glory could come next season.
Despite their controversial defeat at Tottenham last weekend, the Reds kicked off against Brighton on Sunday just four points off Ange Postecoglou’s side at the top of the table. And Jurgen Klopp’s summer signings, in particular Dominik Szoboszlai, have seemingly strengthened the squad in light of a host of summer departures.
Since Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top flight title in the 2019/10 campaign, it’s Manchester City who have finished top of the standings for three seasons in a row. And asked on Sky Sports whether his former club can break that trend, Carragher was sceptical.
“Whether they can go on and win the biggest trophy which is the Premier League – I think that will be tough,” he said. “I think that could be something Liverpool could go for next season with a couple more additions.
“I think Liverpool lack a top central midfield player and maybe another defender. Those gaps will be plugged whether that is in January or in the summer – I think they will be better equipped next season to go for the Premier League.”
As well as former RB Leipzig man Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo have on board from Brighton and Stuttgart respectively, with Ryan Gravenberch also signed from Bayern Munich. But Klopp missed out on prime target Jude Bellingham, a notion not helped by the England midfielder’s scintillating early season form at Real Madrid.
And he failed to bring in any defensive reinforcements, although results thus far have defied suggestions his squad lacks the depth to compete at the top. Indeed, Carragher believes the club are on the right route forward.
“It’s been a promising start this season,” he added. “And it looks like certainly in the first few weeks that this team he is building can hopefully go on to achieve what his previous teams have done.”
Following the Brighton clash, a host of Liverpool players will head off on international duty. They’ll return to Premier League action with a Merseyside derby against Everton on October 21.
