Despite a spectacular transfer summer, Liverpool FC is struggling to get going. Record signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have failed to make an impact.
Liverpool FC spent €500 million on new players last summer. And that as reigning champions.
After signing Florian Wirtz (€125 million) and former Dortmund player Alexander Isak for a British record fee of €150 million, defending the title seemed to be a mere formality for many experts.
Clearly not the case. Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United was their fourth in a row – the last time that happened was in 2014. Both Arsenal and Manchester City have overtaken them in the Premier League. The pressure is mounting, as is the criticism.
The popular targets are, of course, the record signings, who are lagging well behind expectations. After Wirtz had to go through the gauntlet in recent weeks, it is now Isak’s turn in the English media. Liverpool: Former BVB pro Isak becomes a problem “Isak shouldn’t play,” claimed former national player Wayne Rooney on the BBC. “He hasn’t trained, he hasn’t had any preparation. That’s so important. While Newcastle were training, he was probably on the phone with his agent for six hours a day trying to get the transfer through. If you don’t have any preparation, you pay the price,” he added, emphasizing: “He doesn’t deserve to play instead of Hugo Ekitike.”
Isak, who was supposed to transform the Reds’ offense, has so far been more of a problem than a solution. The former BVB striker has world-class talent. But why the club’s management put Isak, another outrageously expensive center forward, in front of Ekitike, who cost €95 million and seemed to be a perfect fit, remains a mystery.
The problems in central defense and at defensive midfield were too big to be addressed because of Isak. After eight matchdays, Liverpool has already conceded 11 goals, compared to three at the same point last season. Meanwhile, a $100 million striker sits on the bench, unhappy.
The idea that Florian Wirtz won’t make it into the Liverpool team most weeks is nonsense.
Jamie Carragher
Speaking of the bench, Florian Wirtz sat there for 62 minutes on Sunday. But unlike Isak, the criticism of the German international is exaggerated.
“The idea that Florian Wirtz won’t make it into the Liverpool team most weeks is nonsense,” said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Wirtz was one of the few bright spots on Sunday as well. In a team that is clearly searching for balance and identity, he is still the most creative player. The only thing missing is goals, which is partly due to Mohamed Salah’s dip in form (two goals). In addition, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid has left a huge gap in the build-up play, which means that Wirtz is playing much deeper than usual. The season is still young, but so far Liverpool’s transfer window seems ill-conceived. Carragher now sees coach Arne Slot as having a responsibility: “When you’ve spent so much on players, you have to make sure it works, and you have to find a way to get the players into the team.”
Former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp is confident that this will succeed. However, he made it clear in the podcast “Diary of a CEO”: “You can’t become champions, spend money, and become champions again. The other teams aren’t sleeping.”