Reasons Behind FSG’s Lack of Liverpool Spending is Purely ‘Strategic’ not ‘Financial’ – Football Finance Expert | OneFootball

Why do Liverpool Have Such a Low Transfer Spend? – Football Finance Expert Reveals Why…

Liverpool are currently on their way through a historic campaign under the guidance of new head coach Arne Slot with the Reds currently sitting top of both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League tables. However, as good as things have been on the pitch, there has been a growing frustration amongst sections of the fanbase regarding the club’s ambition off the pitch.

Despite record-breaking financial revenue, fans have been left bemused by the lack of action in the transfer market and in strengthening the squad.

Over the last decade, Liverpool have recorded a lower net-spend than clubs like AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United and only marginally more than Crystal Palace.

Some would claim that is a lack of ambition, whilst some would use it as proof that Liverpool are best run football club in the world. It’s a hard subject.

Photo: IMAGO

To understand more of the reasons behind this stance taking by Liverpool’s owners FSG and the club’s recruitment team, we spoke to a football finance expert.

Dr Dan Plumley spoke to Anfield Index and shared his thoughts on the situation…

Don’t Fix What’s not Broken

“I think a lot of it comes down to where the club is on the pitch,” began Plumley, “They’re top of the Premier League at the moment, with a comfortable cushion too.”

“Because of that, Liverpool don’t desperately need to sign players right now and they’re in a position where they can really choose their next action.”

Photo: IMAGO

The current squad is unbelievably strong and we’re yet to see the best from the likes of Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo, who are all expected to play a bigger part in the second half of the season. So perhaps, they see that strength coming from those players in the remainder of the title race, rather than splashing the cash on short-term answers.

Contract Issues

“Liverpool already have three huge contract situations up in the air,” pointed out Plumley. That statement or excuse is not one that will sit well with Liverpool supporters, with the club paying the price for the lack of work put in by Jurgen Klopp and Jorg Schmadtke in the absence of Michael Edwards.

However, as frustrating as it is, we would all prefer Liverpool to wrap up new deals for Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold rather than signing new players.

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The only issue with that though, is that neither is currently looking like anywhere near being solved.

Learning from Past Mistakes

It’s obviously hard to argue that this Liverpool squad isn’t the strongest in the Premier League at the moment, and both the domestic and European standings tell us that. However, the Reds have often fell victim to not strengthening whilst on top previously.

For example, Liverpool opted to head into the 2020-21 season with just three senior centre-backs in the squad with Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez after the sale of Dejan Lovren.

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Consequently, all three players ended up picking up serious injuries and missing most of the season and the club rushed into the market to sign Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies in January.

It’s crucial to improve whilst we’re on top, but January is always harder to deal in, as Plumley suggests.

FSG’s ‘Strategy’

“We also know that big clubs tend not to do serious business in January,” continued Plumley, “It’s a lot more awkward.”

“It would seem to me that Liverpool’s lack of spending is purely strategic, rather than for financial reasons.”

Of course fans would be happy to wait until the summer if that means the club will capture their primary targets and seriously bolster the quality of the squad, however some would claim that we have been told that far too many times.

Photo: IMAGO

Whilst Liverpool remain content with their current squad, Manchester City have gone and signed the likes of Omar Marmoush and Vitor Reis in January, whilst Arsenal continue to push to sign Ollie Watkins and solve their striker issues.

Either way, the Reds are currently flying in all competitions and it’s important to get behind the current squad of players and trust Slot to get the most out of the current squad and continue to work his magic.