Liverpool Must Stop Signing Stars Who Don’t Fit The System

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal, and something keeps coming back to me.

We’ve assembled an extraordinarily talented squad, spent enormous amounts of money, and yet we’re still having conversations about whether some of our biggest signings actually suit the way Andoni Iraola wants us to play.

That worries me.

I don’t think we played particularly badly against Arsenal. I liked our pressing, our response to conceding and the way our midfield competed.

But seventeen shots without one on target tells you everything about our attacking problems.

And it’s made me question one of the biggest decisions Liverpool made in the transfer market.

Did we really need to spend £125 million on Alexander Isak after already signing Hugo Ekitike?

Alexander Isak And Hugo Ekitike Present Liverpool With A Dilemma

Let me make something absolutely clear.

I think Alexander Isak is an outstanding centre-forward.

He’s a wonderful finisher, and when you get him into the right positions, he’ll score goals.

But I increasingly believe Hugo Ekitike is better suited to the football we’re trying to play.

There’s something about Hugo that reminds me of Roberto Firmino.

He drops into midfield, links attacks, creates space for others and allows the players around him to interchange positions.

Think about how effective Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Firmino were together.

That fluidity made Liverpool incredibly difficult to defend against.

I see the potential for something similar with Ekitike.

With Isak, I feel we’re constantly discussing how we need to change our approach to get the best out of him.

And that’s a concern when you’ve spent £125 million.

Jonathan Northcroft reported that Michael Edwards persuaded Liverpool’s owners to break the British transfer record because replacing Salah directly was considered almost impossible.

The thinking was that signing the best available number nine offered the safest route to replacing those goals.

I understand that logic.

But we’d already invested heavily in Ekitike.

Was another record-breaking striker really the priority?

I asked supporters which player better suits our system, and 79% voted for Ekitike.

That doesn’t mean Isak is a bad footballer.

It means there’s a difference between signing an outstanding individual and signing somebody who makes the entire team function better.

Szoboszlai And Gravenberch Face Uncomfortable Questions

The same problem is emerging in midfield.

I love Dominik Szoboszlai. I’m delighted he signed a new contract, and I’ve never questioned his ability.

But I cannot ignore what we’re seeing.

Liverpool looked balanced with Trey Nyoni alongside Alexis Mac Allister against Arsenal.

Then Nyoni went off, Szoboszlai came on, and Arsenal began enjoying more momentum.

That’s becoming difficult to dismiss as coincidence.

Perhaps Dom would be better competing with Florian Wirtz for the number ten position.

I’d certainly like to see that tested.

But we cannot keep compromising our midfield balance simply to accommodate individuals.

Ryan Gravenberch faces a different challenge.

He’s a very good footballer, and I remember how outstanding he was when Liverpool won the league under Arne Slot.

But where does he fit under Iraola?

He’s increasingly looking like a rotation option rather than somebody guaranteed a starting place.

More than 1,000 supporters voted in my poll, and 74% believed he could be sold next summer.

I’m not advocating that.

We need midfield depth, and selling another quality player would be counterproductive.

But if the reported wages of around £300,000 a week are accurate, Liverpool will eventually have a decision to make.

Lamine Camara Could Transform Liverpool’s Midfield

One potential solution has me genuinely excited.

Reports suggest Liverpool are preparing groundwork for a January move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, with a possible €50 million offer being discussed.

I’d absolutely love that signing.

Camara is energetic, press-resistant and capable of providing the defensive balance we’ve been missing.

Some supporters question whether he’s physically imposing enough for the Premier League.

I understand that argument.

But N’Golo Kante and Javier Mascherano weren’t enormous midfielders, were they?

You don’t have to be six foot four to dominate that area of the pitch.

If Liverpool brought in Camara while keeping Mac Allister, Nyoni and Gravenberch, suddenly our midfield options would look considerably stronger.

And please, sort out Mac Allister’s contract.

He’s responded brilliantly this season after a difficult campaign, and allowing him to approach the final year of his deal makes absolutely no business sense.

Protect his value, retain his experience and give Iraola the players he needs.

That’s how you build a squad capable of competing.

VAR Excuses Are Insulting Football Supporters

Now, I cannot finish without addressing Dermot Gallagher’s comments about Liverpool’s penalty appeal against Arsenal.

Because I’m absolutely fed up.

Jurrien Timber pulled Isak’s shirt, and for me, it was a stonewall penalty.

I didn’t spot it immediately in real time.

That’s precisely why VAR exists.

Yet Gallagher suggested that intervening could leave VAR accused of re-refereeing the match.

I’m sorry, but what on earth is the point of VAR if correcting a missed decision is somehow unacceptable?

Jay Bothroyd recognised the foul. Thierry Henry was critical of the officiating.

And Gallagher appeared more interested in explaining why officials shouldn’t intervene than acknowledging what happened.

It’s ridiculous.

This isn’t exclusively about Liverpool.

Every club has decisions that leave supporters furious, and the tribal nonsense surrounding refereeing allows the same mistakes to continue.

We should all be demanding better.

But I’m also not blaming VAR for everything.

Liverpool didn’t create enough against Arsenal, and our expensive attackers must accept responsibility.

Still, I saw plenty to encourage me.

We’re pressing better, competing harder and looking far more organised under Iraola.

We’ve got Fenerbahce coming up, Crystal Palace at the weekend and a Carabao Cup quarter-final to look forward to.

I want Champions League qualification, and I want us to win a trophy.

Those remain realistic ambitions.

But if we’re going to take the next step, Liverpool must stop collecting expensive individuals and start building a squad where every piece fits.

Because talent alone won’t win us anything.

Much Love.