'They must have someone lined up': Carragher makes transfer claim amid claims LFC could agree deal very soon

Jamie Carragher doesn't believe Liverpool will make any more signings this summer but does think Julian Ward has a signing lined up for next year.

The Reds have made just three signings this summer but the strength of their squad means there is no reason to make panic buys.

In the past, the Reds have acted rashly by signing the likes of Andy Carroll and Christian Benteke in a rush.

Not only have Liverpool turned a corner in the last several years as far as incomings are concerned but they have become so astute in negotiations for outgoings as well.

Football Insider claims that Liverpool could agree a deal to sign Jude Bellingham "within weeks", meaning the Reds could secure his services ahead of next summer very soon.

The report even states that he could join Liverpool as soon as January but that is less likely than an arrival ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

With Jamie Carragher agreeing that the Reds need a new midfielder due to the age of some of Jurgen Klopp's midfielders, it's a move that may only happen next summer.

Recent reports state that Liverpool could sign Jude Bellingham as soon as January with an agreement potentially close.

“I think Liverpool could still do with someone in midfield, not in terms of numbers-wise but in terms of quality-wise and I think - notoriously, how Liverpool have done their transfers - they wait for who they want.

“When they didn't get van Dijk that time, they waited and they gave it to January, even though most fans were saying ‘you’ve got to go buy another centre-back’. They don't panic. Even when all their centre-backs were injured in the same season, in January, they brought a couple of centre-backs in but on-loan.

“They didn’t buy anyone because they didn't get who they wanted, which was Konate, and they waited. And I just think Liverpool - they’re not daft. The first choice midfield three right now is quite old, with all three getting into their 30s.

“But Liverpool are prepared to wait and I think that's one of the reasons why they're so good in the transfer market. So they must have someone lined up next summer.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for three months with another serious injury while Curtis Jones is also carrying an unspecified injury.

Liverpool also never seem to be too far away from the next injury to either Thiago or Naby Keita.

The hope is that both midfielders have turned a corner in their careers as far as injuries are concerned but only time will tell.

Not signing a new midfielder may prove to be a costly mistake but Jurgen Klopp may have enough depth with the arrival of Fabio Carvalho and the return of Harvey Elliott to full fitness after his ankle ligament injury last season.