Damien Comolli, Liverpool’s former director of football, has criticised the club’s transfer business this summer, and warned that Brendan Rodgers’s side could be set for a disappointing campaign.
No side has been as busy as the Reds this summer, with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner and, latterly, £32.5 million man Christian Benteke all brought to Anfield [Mirror], presumably for roles in the Northern Irish coach’s starting XI.
They have been joined by Joe Gomez, Adam Bogdan and Danny Ings, as Rodgers looks to sculpt a squad capable of securing a spot in the Champions League.
However, while Liverpool have been much busier than their key rivals for the top four spots, Comolli believes that the other sides are getting their summer business right, while Liverpool are setting themselves up for a fall.
The main reason for the ex-director of football’s gripe is not, it seems, the quality of players brought to Anfield, but rather, the quantity.
“Without talking about individual players, it is always a big risk to make so many changes during one transfer window,” the Frenchman began, speaking to talkSPORT.
“I thought it was a huge risk last year after selling [Luis] Suarez and bringing in, I think, nine. Now they have decided to change a lot again and totally rebuild. That is always a massive, massive risk.
“They have bought in players who have got talent, but they are going to compete against some very settled teams.
“Arsenal, United, City and Chelsea are making some very subtle adjustments to their squad and, on the other hand, Liverpool are changing everything every year. I’m not convinced it is the right approach.
“It is too much [to overhaul the squad] in two off-seasons. When you gamble as much money as they did last summer, you have got to give players a chance, and changing everything again sends the message to the players brought in last summer that they will not get a chance.
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“By the time everyone settles into the team, and the players coming from abroad get used to the Premier League, they might be well behind fourth place.
“It is a huge risk. If you look at the stability of City, Chelsea, Arsenal throughout the years – the proof is in the pudding.”
In truth, Comolli ought to know what he’s talking about. As the Mirror pointed out, the Frenchman’s 18-month stay at Anfield coincided with the signings of the likes of Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing, neither of whom proved to be overwhelming successes at Liverpool.
Similarly, while there is a case to be made that coaches should avoid disrupting their squad too much, there is logic behind each of the club’s signings, particularly considering his need to replace the goals lost with Luis Suarez’s departure, the midfield leadership lost with Steven Gerrard’s departure and the defensive failings that have hamstrung the Rodgers reign to date.