LIVERPOOL: Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has described the club’s 2025 summer transfer window as potentially “one of the worst” in the history of the English Premier League (EPL).
After winning the league in his first season under Arne Slot, Liverpool spent around 450 million pounds on seven players, including 125 million pounds for Alexander Isak and 116 million pounds for Florian Wirtz.
However, apart from Hugo Ekitike, almost all of Liverpool’s new signings struggled to make an impact in their first season at Anfield as the Reds slipped to fifth place and Slot was sacked.
After Isak and Wirtz again failed to impress in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle on Sunday, Carragher gave a scathing assessment of Liverpool’s transfer dealings last summer.
“It’s only the first game of the season, but my concern is that the transfer window of the last 12 months may have left Liverpool a year or two behind to improve.
“Yes, this is just one game under (Andoni) Iraola, but we are talking about 12 months of below-par performance from all these players except Ekitike.
“If this situation doesn’t change in the next two or three months under Iraola, and these players don’t improve, I think we’re going to see it as one of the worst transfer windows we’ve ever seen in the history of the Premier League, when you consider the transfer fees and the impact on Liverpool,” said Carragher.
After losing four key players this summer – Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones – the team under new manager Iraola fielded four players bought last season against Newcastle – Isak, Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
“The goal of getting these players is not just for them to be good players.
“It’s about building a little dynasty for Liverpool.
“Don’t forget, Liverpool won the league two years ago. These players should do what Manchester City have done in the past few years, or Manchester United in the past, by winning two or three titles in five years,” he said.
Wirtz in particular has been the target of criticism from the former Liverpool defender.
“The idea that players need a year to adapt to the EPL, I think it’s a bit of a myth. I don’t think there are too many examples that show that,” he added.
Carragher added: “I don’t think we’ve seen performance that’s been significantly below his level. What we’ve seen over the last year is probably his level, a neat and tidy footballer.
“Not a player who should be worth £110m, but maybe a player worth £50m to £60m. Neat and tidy, a nice touch. I’m not sure what people expect from him.”
Liverpool will be back in action against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.