'Liverpool need £200m to spend on transfers!'

James Shearman

• Updated: 22 Dec 2022 21:01 GMT
• 3 min read

Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to spend a fortune in the transfer market, according to club legend Jamie Carragher.

Having been Manchester City's nearest challengers in the Premier League last season, finishing just a point off the pace, the Reds are sixth at the midway point of the 2022/23 campaign.

Sadio Mane's €41 million sale to Bayern Munich and an injury-ravaged midfield haven't helped, but it's clear that they need reinforcements.

MORE: Liverpool and the three clubs interested in Enzo Fernandez

"There is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool's owners 'I need £200m-£250m to spend in the summer', Carragher told Sky Sports.

"That sounds like an outrageous figure, but that is what Man Utd and Chelsea spent last summer. These are the figures that Liverpool's rivals are spending.

"I think probably once in Klopp's tenure, Liverpool have really gone for it in the transfer market. I think it was after the first Champions League final they bought a lot of players.

"I think it needs that that now. I don't think FSG have those funds right now and I think that's why they are looking for investment to come in and help them."

What do Liverpool need in January?

Midfield is where Liverpool face the biggest problem with James Milner and Jordan Henderson ageing and other options suffering from fitness issues.

Their two biggest targets are Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez, but Liverpool know there is big competition for them and they will cost upwards of €100 million, with a January transfer difficult.

There are other targets, however, with the likes of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Valencia’s Yunus Musah and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat all linked; what’s clear is Liverpool will have to spend big.

The Reds have had some uncertainty in attack with Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino sharing the sole attacking role, but the Brazilian’s future is unclear with links to Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool have good options out wide in Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, but they may feel they’ve made an error in not signing a direct replacement for Sadio Mane.

Kylian Mbappe is a wild dream, but there are more realistic targets such as Mohamed Kudus of Ajax, Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssouffa Moukoko and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.