Liverpool have remained motionless in the transfer market as they ramp up preparations for the new season.
There are now just four weeks until the Reds kick-off their Premier League campaign against Ipswich Town on Saturday, August 17th.
Before then Liverpool head to the USA to face Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United. A friendly against Sevilla at Anfield will round off the pre-season schedule.
Obviously, with a new head coach at the helm, the key focus should be on making sure the Liverpool squad are tactically ready for what’s to come.
So far, Arne Slot has impressed the Liverpool players with his intensity in training and hands on approach. But according to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Dutchman could be about to make a mistake in the transfer market.
Liverpool warned off Matt O’Riley chase
Liverpool have become well known over the years for being very meticulous when it comes to new signings.
Not only are the Liverpool owners very thorough when bringing in an addition to the squad, but they also tend to make the right decisions.
This summer, it looks possible that their decision will be not to buy any new players at all. Some supporters may not like that, but with a deep squad already, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Those clamouring for activity would do well to remember that no signing is better than a bad signing.
And speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, journalist Bailey says that fans should hope that recent reports linking Liverpool with a £23m move for Matt O’Riley of Celtic better not be correct.
“I don’t see where Matt O’Riley fits in at Liverpool,” says the reporter. “He’s a good player, he’s not Dominik Szoboszlai level, he’s not Alexis Mac Allister level. I think if Liverpool did sign someone like O’Riley, as a Liverpool fan you should be very worried.
“Not disparaging him, he’s got a lot of ability. But I don’t see it at all. I don’t know where those links originated from,” Bailey adds.
“If he was on a free it might be different, but I don’t see them paying over £20m for someone like that. There’s no need for him in the squad whatsoever.”
Who is Matt O’Riley?
O’Riley has had an excellent season for Celtic, scoring 19 goals from midfield and helping Brendan Rodgers and co to another title.
At 23 he now looks ready for the next step and is certainly one to keep an eye on in regards to a move this summer.
However, as Bailey says, it should not be to Liverpool. If the Reds bring in another midfielder, it would surely be someone like Ederson of Atalanta.
Slot could perhaps do with a potentially elite holding player rather than a goal-scoring midfielder like O’Riley.
Still, if Liverpool think they’ve identified the right man, then popular opinion has never stopped them before.
