Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has shared his thoughts on the club’s recent transfer struggles and whether Mohamed Salah will remain at Anfield next season.
It’s no secret that Liverpool have endured a difficult campaign, with several of Arne Slot’s high-profile summer signings failing to make an immediate impact. That lack of return has only intensified scrutiny on the Dutchman, particularly given the significant fees involved.
The situation has reportedly strained Slot’s relationship with star forward Salah, who was surprisingly dropped for a run of matches before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations in December.
Transfer News Blitz writer Taylor Stephenson takes a closer look at Murphy’s comments on the current situation at Merseyside.
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SALAH SAGA
Speculation surrounding Salah’s future gathered pace in December when Slot opted to bench the forward against both West Ham and Sunderland.
The decision prompted a public reaction from Salah, who voiced his frustration while speaking to the media:
“I don’t know why. It seems that someone doesn’t want me at the club – this is unacceptable for me.”
When asked whether he believes Salah will still be a Liverpool player next season, Murphy was blunt in his assessment:
“Is this Mo Salah’s last season at Anfield? I think so, yeah.
“I know he’s contracted for longer, but with what’s gone on and how he’s performed, it would surprise most people if he stayed for another year.
“The only caveat would be if a new manager came in and really wanted to build a team around him and try to get one more year out of him.”
TRANSFER TROUBLES
Liverpool’s recruitment strategy has come under heavy criticism this season. The club spent close to £500 million during the summer transfer window, yet several new arrivals have struggled to justify their price tags.
Asked whether the window should be viewed as a failure, Murphy urged caution:
“To judge it so quickly would be wrong. You could argue that Etikite would be classed as a success. Wirtz is starting to show his quality as well. We all know he had a slow start, but he’s turning opinions around.
“But there are definitely question marks over the recruitment at this time, because so many have struggled to make an impact.”
Murphy also questioned where responsibility lies for the club’s transfer decisions:
“Who’s actually making the final calls and deciding that spending £200 million on two strikers is better than signing a top-class centre-half to balance the squad? Those are valid questions.
“My gut feeling is that not all the business that was done was exactly what Arne Slot wanted.”
MARC GUEHI BLUNDER
Liverpool’s defensive frailties have been a major contributor to their struggles this season. The Reds appeared close to securing Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi on deadline day, only for the move to collapse.
Although it was later confirmed that Guehi would be available in January, Manchester City’s late intervention scuppered Liverpool’s hopes of landing the England international.
Murphy believes missing out on Guehi was a significant setback:
“I think it was a blow, a real blow. When you look at the fee for a player of that quality, experience, calmness, speed and athleticism – someone well-versed in Premier League football, an international, a club captain – he’s a leader. So it’s a big miss.
“They’ve made an error. And although the window is closing rapidly, I still expect them to be looking to bring someone in, whether on loan or otherwise.
“They might not be able to get the quality they want, but I’d be amazed if they’re not looking to strengthen in that area.”
If you’d like to read Danny Murphy’s comments in full, they can be found at BestBettingSites.co.uk.
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