Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that the Reds made 'the signing of the season' despite their lack of transfers through the summer window.
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Liverpool only made one signing this seasonCarragher claims Reds made 'signing of the season'Claims the signing of Arne Slot has been pivotalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Liverpool had been expected to be heavily involved in the summer transfer window after Jurgen Klopp's departure and Arne Slot's appointment as his successor over last summer. However, the Reds ended up staying quiet through the entire summer and only signed Federico Chiesa while their attempts to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad failed to bear fruit.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
However, Carragher has now claimed that Liverpool made the best signing of the season when they signed Slot to take over as the Dutchman has led the Reds into the lead of the Premier League and Champions League league stage standings. The former defender also opened up that if Liverpool were to win titles, the Dutchman would be at the end of all the praise, however, if they fail, the ownership would be the one's targeted by the fans for the lack of transfer activity.
Getty Images SportWHAT CARRAGHER SAID
In his column with The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: "Headhunting Slot was another masterstroke by FSG. Identifying the right successor for Klopp was a defining moment in Liverpool’s modern history, comparable to replacing Bill Shankly or Sir Kenny Dalglish, Manchester United moving on after the retirements of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsenal post-Arsene Wenger. We have seen many glorious eras grind to a halt when the figurehead left the building.
"Time will tell if Liverpool’s general inactivity in the transfer market across the past two windows is dangerous or clever. Given that small details make a big difference in sport, it could be both. If Liverpool win the title, Slot will be the hero. If it goes wrong from here, [Michael] Edwards, [Richard] Hughes and the rest of the FSG hierarchy will be cast by some as the villains.
"That’s how it works in football. Owners, executives and sporting directors are as unpopular as referees, thanked for nothing but blamed for everything.
"Many directors in the position of Edwards and Hughes could dine out for a while on making such a big call as replacing Klopp with Slot. Not at Liverpool.
"But whatever the outcome in the title run-in, Liverpool can claim they have already made the signing of the season: Slot himself."
WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
While last summer did not see much transfer activity, next summer will likely be filled with movements. The future of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker remain under question and their departures will make signings necessary.