Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes his old side is taking a major transfer gamble in two positions where Arne Slot is a little light amid the club's chase for the Premier League title.
"The lack of recruitment since the new manager joined worries me," Carragher writes in his Daily Telegraph column. "Liverpool would be stronger with a left-sided defender and an extra central midfielder.
"On current form, Slot’s starting XI is capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League, but an injury to Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah would be a big problem, and if Ryan Gravenberch is absent the club have no natural replacement as a number six."
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Liverpool has only signed Federico Chiesa so far under Slot, though a deal was agreed last summer for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. And as well as a left-back and some more holding midfield cover, it might need a number nine at the end of the season.
"Liverpool were prepared to spend £51m ($63m) for Martin Zubimendi six months ago, recognizing they needed more strength in depth," Carragher continues. "Gravenberch was the internal solution.
"Spending a little more in January to bring forward a deal for a long-term target would be a preferable insurance policy. Given the funds are there, it feels like a gamble to wait rather than grasp the nettle right now.
"That decision will be vindicated if Liverpool become champions. If they fall just short again, particularly to Arsenal, valid questions will be asked as to whether the club could and should have done more when in such a strong position.
"My biggest worry is what might happen against elite opponents in a Champions League semi-final or final if an obvious weakness is exposed. Liverpool know from bitter experience that flaws come to the surface in defining games."
Liverpool.com says: Signing a left-back would be ideal but with two already on the books at Anfield, a third was never going to come in without someone leaving. Getting a holding midfielder feels more realistic, with so much pressure on Gravenberch to stay fit and in the kind of form he has been showing. Without more cover in that area, the Reds will just have to hope for the best.
