Gary Neville has voiced strong criticism of Liverpool's summer transfer dealings, suggesting the club has left manager Andoni Iraola with an uncompetitive squad. Neville's concerns center on the potential sale of forward Cody Gakpo and what he perceives as a critical failure to sign full-backs and a holding midfielder.
Neville expressed disbelief over reports that Liverpool might sell Gakpo to rivals Manchester City for £85 million. "The noise that Gakpo might leave - I know that Barcola might come in - but he looks like their best forward. I think he's a real danger," Neville stated on his podcast. He emphasized Gakpo's consistent contributions and the difficulty in replacing such a player, calling the prospect of his departure a significant worry.
Defensive Concerns
The former player also highlighted the lack of signings in defensive positions. "But what's the most bizarre is that they haven't signed a full-back, left back and a right back," he said. Neville expressed doubts about the defensive capabilities of potential full-back options Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. He suggested that if these players are deployed in a traditional back four without additional defensive midfield support, Liverpool is likely to concede a substantial number of goals.
Neville pointed to the team's early-season results, including two 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, as evidence of defensive vulnerability. He analyzed specific instances from the Forest match, noting a right-back's absence for the first goal and failure to track a runner from a throw-in for the second, attributing it to a lack of natural defensive instinct.
Comparing current options to former players, Neville suggested that even Trent Alexander-Arnold, who faced criticism for his defending, was a more accomplished defender and offered greater attacking output. He questioned the defensive suitability of Kerkez and Frimpong in a back four, stating, "I don't think they have the numbers in defence. I think they're leaving Andoni Iraola well short."
Neville advised Iraola to demand immediate action from the club's hierarchy. "If I was him I'd be demanding something in the next 48 hours because it will cost him," he warned. He believes that Liverpool would have a strong chance of success if they acquired a defensive midfielder and two capable full-backs, but current recruitment deficiencies are undermining their potential.
Liverpool's summer activity has included the signings of centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60 million and Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona. Upfront, Bradley Barcola is reportedly close to a £123 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, and Victor Munoz was signed for £34 million from Osasuna, scoring his first goal against Forest. However, Neville noted that the club has not adequately replaced Fabinho in the defensive midfield role and that existing full-back backups, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas, are not known for their defensive solidity.