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Liverpool’s transfer stance shouldn’t come as a surprise to supporters

van dijk

The Daily Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe reports that Liverpool will not undergo a “massive rebuild” this summer despite their poor Premier League title defence.

I may be exposing my age here but it wasn’t until this season that I really understood that having a strong defence is infinitely more important than having a strong attack.

Losing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to season-long knee injuries and subsequently needing to play Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in central defence has had a nightmarish effect on Liverpool’s fortunes domestically.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 07, 2021 in Liverpool, England. PHOTO BY LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/GETTY IMAGES.

Given that the primary reason for Liverpool going from winning the Premier League with 99 points last season to fighting to finish in the top four this season is the injury situation at centre-back, there’s no reason for the Reds to break the bank ahead of next season.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both expected to make a full recovery from their knee injuries although neither will make any contribution this season.

Liverpool fans, myself included, always dream of seeing multiple marquee signings made but it should come as no surprise that the club is not planning on making any major moves this summer.

Under Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool have historically had to sell players in order to generate funds to sign new stars. The only reason Jurgen Klopp was authorised to sign Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Alisson Becker was due to the fact that Philippe Coutinho had left the club for £142million.

Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho reacts after falling during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Eibar at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 29, 2020. PHOTO BY PAU BARRENA / AFP.

Anfield Central sources can confirm what should be common knowledge despite the poor season Liverpool have had.

There is no intention for the Reds to sell any of their key players and aside from Gini Wijnaldum, who is running down his contract, there aren’t any major departures expected.

Besides, next season’s chances of success rest far more heavily on seeing van Dijk, Gomez and Jordan Henderson return to the starting XI.

This is conjecture but I’m 100% certain that Klopp would rather spend £50million on guaranteeing a clean bill of health for all his players than on a new player because when the German has a fully fit squad, there isn’t a team in the world that can compete.

Liverpool’s English midfielder James Milner (L) and Liverpool’s English midfielder Jordan Henderson hold the European Champion Clubs’ Cup trophy during an open-top bus parade around Liverpool. PHOTO BY OLI SCARFF/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

In the two seasons before this mad, covid-wrecked, pre-season-less campaign, Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League in 2018/19, the UEFA Super Cup, the Premier League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019/20.

It’s safe to say that with or without a summer of huge spending, clubs around Europe and in the Premier League should be very worried about Liverpool once Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez return to fitness.

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