Liverpool don’t need Mbappe or Haaland this summer, claims club legend

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool don’t need to sign a Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland to move back to the summit of the Premier League, according to Dietmar Hamann, who won the 2005 Champions League with the Reds.

The Reds made their exit from this season’s edition of the Champions League on Wednesday, unable to breakdown a depleted Real Madrid side as they drew 0-0 at Anfield following a 3-1 reverse in the Spanish capital eight days previous.

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Jurgen Klopp’s men were notably limp up front, which has led to speculation that Liverpool need to reassess their forward line.

But Hamann believes that there are other priorities that need addressed more urgently by Liverpool if they are to rediscover their form of the last two years, in which they have won both the Champions League and Premier League.

Hamann pinpoints Liverpool’s area of weakness

“I don’t think Liverpool need many big-name signings,” Hamann told Talksport. “Obviously, a lot will depend on whether Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane stay at the club.

“I think they missed Diogo Jota in the last few weeks, he’s become a very important player for them.

“The centre-backs will be back. They certainly need two or three signings, James Milner is 35 now, Naby Keita hasn’t really come to the party since he joined Liverpool, and there are still a lot of question marks over Thiago Alcantara.

“If Gini Wijnaldum goes, I think they will need at least two players in the centre of midfield. But apart from that, when the injured players come back, I don’t think they will need a huge overhaul.”

Liverpool’s activity in the transfer market could be dictated by their presence in the Champions League next season, which appears in jeopardy given that they are sixth in the league with just seven matches remaining.