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Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher tips Klopp to make double transfer to complete dream XI
Liverpool could enter the transfer market once again to bolster Jurgen Klopp's team after Jamie Carragher's call, following the Reds' recent draw at Brighton.
Brighton V Liverpool: Pictures
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has tipped his former side to make two transfers before next season that would complete Jurgen Klopp’s current lineup. The Reds invested heavily in their midfield this summer, as the German boss oversaw a dramatic overhaul, but Carragher believes that more work still needs to be done.
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Brighton highlighted the best and worst of Klopp’s side, as Mohamed Salah’s brace papered over the cracks following individual errors that allowed the Seagulls to score twice and earn a draw.
With a stunning frontline, further supported by new signings Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, Carragher believes that the next step to improve the starting XI is two players to help defensively. Speaking ahead of the draw with Brighton, Carragher expects Klopp’s priorities are to bring in a holding midfielder and another defender.
"Whether they can go on and win the biggest trophy which is the Premier League I think that will be tough,” Carragher said when asked about Liverpool’s ambitions for the current season. “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."
Wataru Endo was brought in to help fill the gap in defensive midfield this summer, as the 30-year-old joined Liverpool from Stuttgart in a £15.4million move. He has made just one league start so far, however, as Mac Allister instead has often been used as the deepest midfielder following the departures of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
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At the back, when Trent Alexander-Arnold inverts into midfield more responsibility is put on Andy Robertson to tuck in and play closer to his centre-backs, as opposed to flying forward as fans have been used to seeing in previous years.
The change in role has led to suggestions that Liverpool may need a specialist left-sided defender in the mould of Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake. Both Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio were linked as players who could fill that void, but the pair penned new contracts with their respective clubs in the summer.
Whether Liverpool would revisit that interest remains to be seen, but Carragher believes that a player of their ilk and another defensive option in midfield could complete Klopp’s lineup and allow the Reds to challenge for the title once again.