Stam Collymore:
Liverpool's era of challenging at the top of the Premier League is under massive threat. In fact, it could be nearing an end.
Apologies to all the Reds fans out there – but the club needs to either get with the plan or else the fans need to resign themselves to spending another generation on the outside, looking in.
The harsh reality, as the current cycle of continued success comes to an end, is that Liverpool face obstacles not just from outside, but from within.
It seems incredible that only 12 months ago all the chatter was about a potential Quadruple. And, even though I expect a marked improvement at Anfield today against Arsenal, Reds fans have to look at the bigger picture.
And they’re not going to like what they see. I don’t, either.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were taken apart at Manchester City last week and, if we’re being honest, would also have been on the end of a hiding at Stamford Bridge, had Chelsea fielded an in-form striker. They got away with it –
The years under Klopp have been characterised by cute recruitment. Liverpool punched above their weight, landing Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for fees that even back then weren’t extraordinary.
But the value they provided on the pitch has been the cornerstone for the club’s success. You can also look at Andy Robertson as another gem mined for virtually nothing. But times have changed. Liverpool cannot go into the market today in the same way as City, Manchester United or even Newcastle United.
They were – were – getting 80 per cent of their signings right. That’s a helluva strike-rate.
even though players such as Luis Diaz, Stefan Bajcetic, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo should settle down – how many of them would get into City’s team? Or Arsenal’s?
Look at Liverpool’s midfield – it’s either too old or too young.
I don’t think that this current team has one midfielder that would displace Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey or Granit Xhaka in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Gunners side.
Now the owners have a choice.
Come clean and admit they can’t compete – or sell the club. Even at £2billion, that would show a huge profit on the £300million they paid 13 years ago.
So now it is make-or-break time. They either get fresh investment and new owners – or come up with an alternative, radical recruitment plan.
Doing nothing guarantees getting left behind.
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