Liverpool will definitely spend in the summer. Those are the words of Jurgen Klopp, whilst not committing to the question on where we’ll spend £100 million on one player. There does need to be a number of arrivals through the door at Anfield, mainly across the midfield but a new centre-back is also on most Reds shopping list. A note of caution s needed here though, as excitement over one question in a press conference embargo can lead to reading too much into things. Whilst there’s a real hope around the summer, it may still be a bit early to be focusing expectations.
For full disclosure and context, it’s always worth watching the short clip to make you own mind up around the mood, tone, context and emotions that were on display as opposed to others opinions. For those who remember Tv show The Bill and for the benefit of the tape, it’s important the bosses’ comments are stated fully. “We will spend in the summer. So that’s what I can say, definitely… For who and how many and stuff like this, there’s nothing to say about it really.” A thirty second response that has sent social media ablaze with claims of a record spend, deals being practically done and a revamped Liverpool around the corner.
Whilst not to rule any of this out and say that it’s still entirely possible, it would be easy to put the cart before the horse in essence. Whether the spend is £200 million as has been rumoured in some parts or even the pessimists net spend figure of £20 million on the other end of the spectrum, Jurgen Klopp’s deceleration will still ring true – Liverpool will definitely have spent in the summer. It’s worth the reminder too as he’s been keen to reiterate throughout the season, even in an agitated manner towards certain journalists that ‘the money story’ as he called it shouldn’t need to be recapped.
Not recapped for Carl Markham anyway, who asked the question itself and has bore the ire of the manager at times too. This isn’t a criticism in any way of an excellent and established reporter, whose asked the challenging and relevant questions at the appropriate times. It’s merely suggesting that any confirmation that Liverpool will ‘splash the cash’ has yet to be received. Plus, we all know the Borussia Dortmund and England player that was being referred to without naming names and the previous comments that Klopp has made on the rare occasion when amounts have entered the discussion.
For all the other names that have been linked of whom there have been many, interestingly the same ones seem to be on repeat somewhat which has added to the furore. However, with the threat of missing out on the champions league places a real possibility, expectation should be tempered somewhat. If rumoured investment were to come into the club, then naturally the picture would change rapidly. Until that days comes though, whilst not wanting to burst the bubble or even claim to know the meaning behind every comment, expectations may need to be realistic.
There is also the expectation of the fan base of one of the world’s most successful clubs.
Liverpool are not a mid table club and if FSG can’t understand that, then they really should be owning a different premier league club.
FSG and their fans (whatever that means) seem to prefer to change the fanbase ambition rather than building LFC into the superclub that it can be.
FSG will be feeling the heat if this summer transfer isn’t a net spend of £200m