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Ferdinand and Owen agree on Liverpool transfer issue and have words for Klopp

mirror.co.uk, 15 September 2021, 20:12

Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen have agreed on the biggest problem which Liverpool must address in the near future.

Compared to some of their rivals, Liverpool had a quiet summer transfer window, with Ibrahima Konate's £36million move from RB Leipzig their sole addition.

While they were inactive in the transfer market, Liverpool did use the summer for some important business.

Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Andy Robertson all renewed their deals over August as Liverpool moved to secure some of their key players for the long-term.

However, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand believes Jurgen Klopp could have benefited from some reinforcements in attacking positions, with little depth behind Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen have worries over Liverpool's squad depth

"Listen, there's a place for experience and there's a place for youth, but you've got to get that balance right," he said on BT Sport.

"If you were going to level any criticism at Liverpool over the last transfer windows, you'd say they could've spent a bit more in terms of numbers and quality and add a bit more quality in the forward areas.

"They added [Diogo] Jota [last summer] who unfortunately got injured and he did really well. You'd like that bit of ability to flex your muscles.

"You look around Europe and look at the ability and then the players around that to come in, Liverpool outside the front three are way behind those teams."

Salah, Mane and Firmino all have contracts which expire at the end of June 2023, meaning Liverpool will soon have some decisions to make over their futures.

The Reds' attacking trio are also all 29 years old - and with just Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino in reserve currently - Klopp could do with some fresh faces.

"I think Liverpool are going to address it," former Liverpool striker Owen said.

Should Liverpool's ageing squad be a worry for Jurgen Klopp? Have your say in the comments section below.

Liverpool's front three are all aged 29 ( Image:

OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

"What I think the big concern is [that] everyone is going to be old at the same time, in three or four years. Look at the front three: Firmino, Salah and Mane - all late 20s.

"Another three or four years you're not going to replace one, it all of a sudden goes bump and you've got to replace two of them.

"I think that's the general around the team - the Matips, the Van Dijks - they're all late 20s now.

"You've got your Henderson and Milners, but that's fine, that's experienced but when there's a glut - that will happen - in four, five years that's something that Jurgen Klopp has to address next year."

Liverpool decided to consolidate their position in the summer transfer window, but player sales may put them in a good place in the coming windows.

Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic, Taiwo Awoniyi and Xherdan Shaqiri were all sold for sizable transfer fees, meaning funds could be available for further additions in 2022.

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