Liverpool's "old" and "ageing" squad blasted after missing out on €100M signing that would have been a Anfield icon

Liverpool's "old" and "ageing" squad was always set for a transitional year after missing out on their €100M star, according to a journalist.

The Reds had targeted Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni but fell short to Real Madrid as they won the race with a mammoth bid of €80M + €20M in add-ons.

Since then, Liverpool haven't moved for another midfielder and their ageing squad is being picked apart by injuries and fans have been demanding another midfielder.

Journalist David Lynch, writing for Sporting News, wrote about how missing out in Tchouameni resulted in Liverpool accepting they were in a transitional year.

If you take that and add it together with the claim from the Liverpool Ech's Ian Doyle that Liverpool have a higher proportion of players aged 30 or over than any other top-flight squad then it reveals a lot about their transfer plans and their moves.

Liverpool's transitional year?

As Lynch claimed: "[It] makes you wonder whether a transitional season was accepted by the club’s hierarchy once it became apparent they would miss out on Aurelien Tchouameni to Real Madrid this summer."

The Reds went all out for the star but since then, they haven't moved for any other midfielders and their other targets were all pre-arranged for months and months.

With a lot of players out of contract and ageing, there's certainly a conversation to be had about the squad.

Doyle spoke about the ageing squad: “Going into the new season, Liverpool had a higher proportion of players aged 30 or over than any other top-flight squad.”

It's a worrying thought given that it means this squad is at the end of its prime, that's not saying everyone but it means there's certainly a discussion to be had about members of their squad who could move on for new blood as it were.

However, Liverpool take careful consideration with all their transfer moves, as they know that money isn't afforded to them the same way it is with Manchester City/United or Chelsea.

As Fabrizio Romano claimed: "Liverpool will only sign a player in the final days of the window “if a smart opportunity like Luis Diaz appeared in January for example, otherwise, they will stay with the current squad.

"There will be no panic buying."

This suggests that over the course of the season they will scout out the squad and see who could go and who could stay.

It also falls in line with Liverpool's approach of Jude Bellingham, who the Reds believe they can sign from Borussia Dortmund, ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.