Jamie Carragher has slammed Liverpool for 'weakness, negligence and poor planning' after his former club decided to end their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool were favourites in a transfer battle to land the Borussia Dortmund and England star as many supporters dreamed that he could be the long-term midfield successor to club legend Steven Gerrard.
However, manager Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group instead chose to halt their quest to bring Bellingham to Anfield just two months before the transfer window opens in a devastating blow to hopeful supporters.
Klopp explained on Friday that pursuing big-money transfers would be like giving 'a five-year-old a Ferrari at Christmas' but Carragher believes the decision has broken 'trust' with fans.
Carragher hammered his former club, writing in The Telegraph: 'Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp built a level of trust with regards to transfers which was the envy of Europe.
'That trust has gone with news they will not be pursuing Jude Bellingham this summer.
'Everything pointed to waiting for Bellingham. The supporters were sold the dream that the next Steven Gerrard was Anfield-bound,' he added.
'After a year working on a deal, it feels like a timid surrender to step aside and allow Manchester City and Real Madrid to fight it out.
'There are times when a club of Liverpool's stature has to flex some muscle and remind their rivals they can and will be there to compete off and on the pitch.
'To walk away because there is now too much work needed across the whole squad smacks of weakness, negligence and poor planning,' he added.
Liverpool previously splurged £75m on Virgil van Dijk in 2017 and £65m on Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson a year later but in more recent times have limited their spending.
Last summer they spent £136m on four permanent signings but have never shelled out triple figures for a player where others in the Premier League have.
There has been no confirmation from Dortmund that they will let their star player leave easily and any move for Bellingham is expected to command a fee in excess of £100million. If Manchester City or Man United want him then it will cost a British record transfer fee.
In contrast to Liverpool, Real Madrid are ready to go all-out to land the outstanding talent and have named the Englishman as their top summer transfer target.
They could look to fund their move for Bellingham by selling former Monaco man Aurelien Tchouameni to Liverpool who are reportedly willing to part with £70m for the 23-year-old.
simst007
1
The Money is ridiculous
skychilee
0
There’s no betrayed or trust issue should the club decide not to pursuit only for one player. Instead, it is a responsible doing of the club, to best use the limited resources and funding. Able to sign a big name and talented player of-course is a good thing, but given FSG’s style and policy, it’s almost not possible to spend such a huge money to buy a big price tag player plus others. Besides, under the current situation, it is much much better to spend the amount to buy 2-3 players to rebuild the squad, especially MF players instead of just one. As a fan, I am more than happy to see that happen.
PranayJadhav
0
Honestly a more pragmatic approach is needed in the transfer market. first and foremost none of the transfer news should be out till the transfer is complete. spending 60-80 mil is still okay rather than going all out at an outlay of 150 mil for one player. as our team has other positions to take care of.
hahelnprt
0
yeah
foaabcpy
0
We all see big ballers drop form when money land
bubbilopuz
0
but if it dont then you sell them back you have to gamble some how,but its like FSG dont want to lose a dollar,so they rather spend 150mil on someone else gamble than them gambling 10 to 15 mil.kmt,these guys are losing it
bubbilopuz
0
liverpool owners are a joke,I'm sure they knew from last season that they needed a midfield rebuild,they knew they would lose keita and Chamberlain for free and milner only had a one year contract,they knew Dortmund asking price from last season, every body did,yet they keep talking about Bellingham and how much they don't want to sign any other midfielder but waiting on Bellingham which made no sense and now they talking pure crap,the bottom line is FSG jus dont like spending money,they jus intent on using the academy players which isn't good enough,they should have start rebuilding just like how they do it with the forward line and we would have a smooth transition,but because of being so mean they wait until the well runs dry now still looking for a cheap way out,they're jus too tight to survive in the premier league to win titles,although I agree with this late decision because I said it from last year,knowing that FSG dont like to spend money ,I didnt see how they would buy Bellingham and still overhaul the midfield because Bellingham alone won't cut it but they seems to have nearsightedness wen it comes to spending but farsightedness wen it comes to buying pure kids with intention of them fitting in which is about 5% of less of academy players make the transition,so idk wat they're really thinking,look at wat Brighton did,wel if FSG is so stingy then they could copy Brighton they bought caicedo for 4mil and mc Allister for 7mil,and now selling them for a combined 150mil,so taking FSG low spending budget they could do same then and if it work out then fine but if o
lusdlnptuy
0
he is not the Messiah so even if Liverpool lose him nothing big, he is good but never a world class player.
then you don't know football my friend.
GunnArs
0
i don’t think it’s shameful to walk away from a bidding war that already starts at £100m and could go up to 150m. liverpool doesn’t have the same spending power as man city or chelsea or psg or real madrid. liverpool is known for smart transfer business not overpaying for hyped players.
wusbmnrsz
0
Li VAR fool is BROKEN club full of Dumb & Violent fans
Kehabcelmz
0
he is not the Messiah so even if Liverpool lose him nothing big, he is good but never a world class player.
Medbekrtu
3
It is shameful for Liverpool not to get Bellingham which means their money power is not strong as top teams in English league. I feel embarrassed when I learn that Liverpool give up Bellingham and if Manchester United get him, it will be more embarrassing to all Liverpool fans 🥲