Transfer inactivity has led to ‘complacency’, claims former Liverpool man
Liverpool’s failure to add another centre-back to their squad may well have resulted in “complacency”, according to a former Reds striker.
Liverpool conceded three goals to new boys Leeds on Saturday, but managed yo win courtesy of a Mo Salah hat-trick, which included a ;later penalty.
Still the champions looked vulnerable at the back and pundit and former Reds forward Peter Crouch has put some of that down to “complacency”.
Dejan Lovren left for Zenit St Petersburg in the summer, and as yet, Jurgen Klopp is still to replace the Croatian.
Virgil van Dijk, whose mistake for the second goal allowed Patrick Bamford to score, partnered Joe Gomez against Leeds, leaving Joel Matip on the bench, but Crouch is convinced they need another option.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Crouch said: “They have got three great players in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip but I believe they could do with another addition there, as I wouldn’t want to see Fabinho used as the fourth-choice central defender.
“Look at the second goal they conceded, to Patrick Bamford.
“It was a rare mistake by Van Dijk that had a hint of complacency about it.
“Does he make the same mistake if Liverpool have signed a central defender this summer and pressure is being applied to his place?
“There are only so many times Mohamed Salah, who bailed out his team, and Sadio Mane can produce heroics.
“Adding another midfielder — such as Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara — or back-up striker would be welcomed.
“I have a feeling they missed a trick not getting Timo Werner.”
Crouch says bookies have got it wrong
Peter Crouch has admitted he is bemused by the pre-season odds for this season’s Premier League title race, after Manchester City were installed as favourites.
Speaking exclusively to TEAMtalk at a BT Sport event, former Liverpool striker Crouch believes his former club should be viewed the team to beat in the title race after they finished a massive 18-points ahead of Manchester City last season.
While he is expecting a closer title race this season, Crouch told us that Liverpool deserved to be viewed as the team to beat.
“I don’t see how the bookies are making Man City favourites for the title,” said Crouch, who scored 42 goals for Liverpool after arriving at the club in 2005.”