The latest injury news about Xherdan Shaqiri should remind Liverpool that they can’t stay quiet in this summer’s transfer window.
Liverpool have confirmed that Xherdan Shaqiri picked up a calf tear on international duty with Switzerland and will not be ready to begin pre-season. That he may not be fit for the beginning of the season highlights the need for the club to dip into the transfer market.
The Reds already have a trimmer first team squad from last season. Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno have left with Rafa Camacho, Bobby Adekanye and Conor Masterson all sold from the reserve side.
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To date the club have only made one signing this summer; a 17-year-old center back. We are expecting confirmation of Harvey Elliott’s move in the next few days but he is even younger, only 16-years-old.
The argument for not adding other players has been that Jurgen Klopp will be welcoming back Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster back from injury to help bolster the attacking options.
Yet with Shaqiri joining Naby Keita in the treatment room you can see how poor that argument is; there are always players injured.
Liverpool were somewhat fortunate to go the entire season without serious injury to Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Very rarely did any of that trio miss consecutive games. It seems like the plan is to count on that happening again plus hoping Adam Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain do not continue their trend of absence.
While I believe the club are in a fantastic place with their current squad – and the emphasis on development and consistency is correct – there is too much hope placed on the luck of avoiding more injuries.
The Liverpool front three have had another summer of playing football into July with their countries and the good fortune cannot last forever.
An aggressive transfer move for Ousmane Dembele or David Neres would be a huge addition to Klopp’s options, a boost to the fans and a statement to our European and Premier League rivals.