Liverpool told to sell four players and fund audacious Haaland move

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
• 4 min read

Liverpool have been advised to sell four members of their first-team squad and pursue an audacious move for Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes signing Haaland, as well as a top centre-back, should be the two transfer window priorities for Jurgen Klopp.

READ MORE: Klopp explains why Jota has settled in more quickly than Kabak

It is not the first time Liverpool have been urged to sign a world-class forward, with Kylian Mbappe previously linked.

The Premier League champions’ ability to compete with Europe’s biggest clubs financially in the transfer market is often cited as a barrier to them pursuing the likes of Haaland and Mbappe.

But Murphy feels it is a necessary move and identified players who should be sold to free up funds.

“Recruitment is going to be vital for Liverpool in the next window,” Murphy wrote in the Daily Mail.

“For me it’s acceptable if Klopp wants to be proactive and start emphasising what he needs.

“Generally, the signings at Liverpool have been good during his time at Anfield but now is the time for the owners to go the extra mile for the right player.

“Squad players such as Takumi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have to be sacrificed to free up funds. So be it.

“Liverpool badly need a couple of players to make the team better, not six rarely-used squad members.”

‘Why not break the bank for Haaland?’

“Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are a fantastic quartet,” Murphy added about Liverpool’s current attacking options.

“But Liverpool need a top-line number nine to become a goal machine again.

“If Erling Haaland is available, why not be ambitious and try to break the bank for him?

“His arrival wouldn’t make Firmino redundant, just give Liverpool more options.

“I don’t see age being a problem. Mane and Salah are 28, Firmino, 29.

“They can play at a high level for another five years. Their mentality is fine but they need fresh impetus in the dressing-room.”

‘Liverpool need major purchase at centre-back’

Murphy added: “Klopp’s second major purchase should be a centre-back. I rate Joe Gomez and Joel Matip but they struggle to play a full season.

“Ozan Kabak was signed in January but from what I’ve seen, he’s not the answer.

“Klopp has made it clear he’s fully committed to Liverpool. The owners must support him with big signings. In football, standing still is never an option.”

Haaland played as Dortmund defeated Hertha Berlin 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, while Liverpool are away to Wolves in the Premier League on Monday.

Both teams have made it to the Champions League quarter-finals.