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Jamie Carragher makes Liverpool transfer prediction during Jürgen Klopp's last game

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is interviewed by Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2024 in London, England.
Jamie Carragher made a Liverpool transfer prediction during Jürgen Klopp's last game. -Credit:Visionhaus/Getty Images


Liverpool's focus at Anfield was very much not on the future. But even as Jürgen Klopp's farewell played out, Jamie Carragher made a transfer prediction.

There was a nostalgic feel in the air, with the Kop airing chants honoring legends of the Klopp era. Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Divock Origi were all serenaded, as of course was the outgoing Liverpool manager.

Michael Edwards was at the club in one capacity or another for the signings of almost all of those greats. Returning this year as CEO of Football for FSG, he has appointed a team tasked with building the next team of legends, with Arne Slot set to be at the helm in the dugout.

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And Carragher believes this new era could be kick-started with yet more transfer activity in midfield. Liverpool made four additions last summer, all of them in the center of the park: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endō were brought in, after Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left.

Mac Allister has been the pick of the additions, and scored the opening goal in Klopp's farewell match. After that hit the back of the net, Carragher made his prediction that further midfield additions will soon follow.

“I said Virgil van Dijk, for me, has been Liverpool’s best player this season. But he [Mac Allister] is certainly in second place.

“The midfield, there’s no doubt it needed changing in the summer. I’m still not convinced it's fully finished that makeup in terms of what Liverpool need to go on and win the title.”

Szoboszlai started his Liverpool career in electric form, but has suffered a drop-off, and was on the bench for Klopp's farewell. Gravenberch has struggled for minutes, only showing his promise in flashes. And while Endō has surpassed expectations, he remains a relatively short-term solution.

The big question for Slot and the recruitment team will be whether to sign a specialist number six. Mac Allister has performed well in that role, but served another reminder here what he can do from further forward.

Liverpool.com says: It will be interesting to see what happens with the midfield. Carragher is right to question whether the rebuild there is totally complete.

However good Mac Allister has been, there is a nagging feeling that a true destroyer in that deepest role could stop the defense from being breached with such regularity. But there are likely to be higher priorities, with the defense itself requiring the most immediate attention in terms of the depth and age profile.