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Last season, the chasing group simply couldn’t keep up with Liverpool. Such was their dominance, particularly during the first half of the season, that Jürgen Klopp’s men marched into 2020 with a whopping 13-point lead over Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s team was simply impressed.
This year, Reds supporters had prepared for a more rigorous scrutiny from the other title contenders. However, if the first few weeks of the season are anything to go through, the other three members of last year’s top four have significant improvements to make before they are able to bring Liverpool down.
City and Chelsea, who conceded eight goals to each other over the weekend, continue to filter goals alarmingly, while Manchester United have looked less than convincing during their first two games. And, as the transfer window enters its final week, there are expected to be many back and forth in the top six clubs with the shortcomings in the squad that have been exposed during a wild start to the season.
Manchester City, who capitulated during their 5-2 home loss to Leicester City on Sunday, wasted no time in addressing their defensive woes. Having already signed Nathan Aké from Bournemouth, they have closed a £ 65 million deal to sign Benfica center-back Rúben Dias in another big money addition to Guardiola’s bottom line.
However, there has been little indication that their neighbors United are following suit in securing a deep-pocketed center-back even though Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s first-choice defensive pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf are off to a mixed start. unstable season.
However, both Manchester clubs are expected to fix their attacking deficiencies this week. City, which are not served by injured duo Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus, have been tentatively linked to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé. Given that City is said to have been interested in securing the signing of Lionel Messi before the Argentine decided to stay in Barcelona, although certainly unlikely, a move for Mbappé, who has reportedly already told PSG that he wants to leave in 2021, cannot be definitively ruled out. outside.
As for United, the Red Devils are poised to make one last push for prime target Jadon Sancho this week. United have been chasing Sancho all summer but have been frustrated by Borussia Dortmund’s outright refusal to entertain the idea that the 20-year-old is leaving. Of course, while Sancho would be a standout signing capable of generating a lot of buzz at Old Trafford, more seasoned spectators would prefer the arrival of another defender, especially after seeing Palace and Brighton create opportunity after opportunity in the last two. games.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal, who have started this season impressively, are ready this week to focus their energies on signing a midfielder. With the rumors that Lucas Torreira is dating, Mikel Arteta has apparently identified Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Atlético de Madrid’s Thomas Partey as his two key targets.
What does all this mean for Liverpool? Simply put, it would leave fewer quality players on the market. In the past 10 days, Liverpool have turned a quiet transfer window into a hugely exciting one with the arrivals of Thiago Alcântara and Diogo Jota, but there may still be room for one last hit in the tail.
While Mbappé seems like a long shot, he is the long-term dream replacement for one of Liverpool’s three forwards. Sancho, on the other hand, seems much more achievable and a winger whose pace and straightforward running style seems adequate for the rigors of Klopp’s system. Similarly, while Arsenal appear to be Aouar’s favorite, if the Gunners fail to sign the Frenchman, Liverpool can act on their long-standing interest in the 22-year-old.
Talking with him Liverpool ECHO Blood Red PodcastDaily Mirror journalist David Maddock, who has covered Liverpool for nearly 30 years, confirmed the club’s interest in Aouar, but also warned that the Reds are unlikely to make a move for the midfielder unless Lyon slashes his price. selling.
Of course, a move for one of the aforementioned players seems unlikely at this late stage, but again, Jota’s move came like a bolt out of nowhere.
Liverpool’s recruiting team is always looking for quality additions, which despite arriving for a relatively high fee, turn out to be bargains (Salah at £ 38 million or Mané at £ 34 million) and Aouar certainly seems to be a fit player. to that profile. There is still time for Michael Edwards and his teammates to repeat the trick and make a late move, but even if Liverpool decide not to join Klopp’s team, the Reds are well equipped to defend their title.
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