Many Liverpool fans want to see Philippe Coutinho brought back to Anfield but former Red thinks Jurgen Klopp's men should bring in a different Barcelona star
Liverpool have been urged to sign Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele - as a replacement for Roberto Firmino - but warned against bringing Philippe Coutinho back to Anfield.
Former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy - a treble cup winner under Gerard Houllier in 2001 - has been given his views on what Jurgen Klopp's men should be doing this summer as they prepare for another tilt at the Premier League title.
42-year-old Murphy, who scored 44 goals in 249 games during a seven-year Anfield career and now works as a media pundit, gave his thoughts during an interview with bookmaker bwin.
Asked about the speculation linking Liverpool with a move for 22-year-old Barca winger Dembele, Murphy said: "Dembele would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool.
"He’s not had the best time at Barcelona, but clearly has an abundance of talent and the ability to win games by himself.
"If he can recapture his belief in his ability, then Liverpool would have a formidable front three with him, Mane and Salah.
"When playing to his potential, I think he would edge Firmino out the first team.
"Firmino is the type of player that would raise his own game and everyone’s around him if Dembele came in to the team.
"He’ll fight for his place week in week out and if you’re not giving your all on the pitch, then Firmino will be right there to take it."
The former England international was not as keen however as the thousands of Liverpool fans who want to see Philippe Coutinho brought back to Anfield 18 months after he left for Barcelona in a £142m deal.
"Liverpool would be taking a step backwards if they re-signed Coutinho", Murphy said.
"Coutinho is at his best when playing in a central three, not wide left. If he were to come back, he would change the dynamic of the team and it would disrupt the balance.
"Liverpool’s midfield three are all super-athletes who defend as much as they attack, which they’ll lose if playing Coutinho there. Klopp had the ability to try a different formation once Coutinho departed and the results speak for themselves. It would be risky to revert back to accommodating Coutinho.
"There’s always room for a creative player, but Liverpool should be looking at a player like Ousmane Dembele or Zaha, not Coutinho."
The former Fulham man was also asked about Harvey Elliott, who has been tipped to arrive at Anfield this summer after recently becoming the youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League for the Cottagers at the end of last season.
"Harvey Elliott would be a great signing for Liverpool and the right move for the player", Murphy said.
"Liverpool are in a very stable position with Klopp and as a youngster, Elliott wouldn’t have to worry about another manager coming in and not seeing him as part of his future plans.
"Klopp has a great record of giving younger players a chance to prove themselves and I’m sure Elliott will get the same opportunity if he buys in to Klopp’s plan. This would give him a great chance to play and train with some of the best players in the world and see what it takes at the top.
"He’s very young and has the chance to develop at Liverpool and then spend a season out on loan if need be. It’s a great opportunity for the player and one I can’t see him passing up on."
Murphy also addressed the concerns some fans have about the lack of summer business so far for the Reds.
"Klopp hasn’t been busy this transfer window as the only players that can improve his team already play for the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. There’s already a lot of depth in the Liverpool squad and it’s hard to improve a team that wins the Champions League and finish the season on 97 points.
"Liverpool had a few long-term injuries last season, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gomez missing a large chuck of the season. They will be like new signings this season and will be playing in the first team. It’s not the end of the world if Klopp isn’t too active in the transfer window."
Liverpool have been urged to sign Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele - as a replacement for Roberto Firmino - but warned against bringing Philippe Coutinho back to Anfield.
Former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy - a treble cup winner under Gerard Houllier in 2001 - has been given his views on what Jurgen Klopp's men should be doing this summer as they prepare for another tilt at the Premier League title.
42-year-old Murphy, who scored 44 goals in 249 games during a seven-year Anfield career and now works as a media pundit, gave his thoughts during an interview with bookmaker bwin.
Asked about the speculation linking Liverpool with a move for 22-year-old Barca winger Dembele, Murphy said: "Dembele would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool.
"He’s not had the best time at Barcelona, but clearly has an abundance of talent and the ability to win games by himself.
"If he can recapture his belief in his ability, then Liverpool would have a formidable front three with him, Mane and Salah.
"When playing to his potential, I think he would edge Firmino out the first team.
"Firmino is the type of player that would raise his own game and everyone’s around him if Dembele came in to the team.
"He’ll fight for his place week in week out and if you’re not giving your all on the pitch, then Firmino will be right there to take it."
The former England international was not as keen however as the thousands of Liverpool fans who want to see Philippe Coutinho brought back to Anfield 18 months after he left for Barcelona in a £142m deal.
"Liverpool would be taking a step backwards if they re-signed Coutinho", Murphy said.
"Coutinho is at his best when playing in a central three, not wide left. If he were to come back, he would change the dynamic of the team and it would disrupt the balance.
"Liverpool’s midfield three are all super-athletes who defend as much as they attack, which they’ll lose if playing Coutinho there. Klopp had the ability to try a different formation once Coutinho departed and the results speak for themselves. It would be risky to revert back to accommodating Coutinho.
"There’s always room for a creative player, but Liverpool should be looking at a player like Ousmane Dembele or Zaha, not Coutinho."
The former Fulham man was also asked about Harvey Elliott, who has been tipped to arrive at Anfield this summer after recently becoming the youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League for the Cottagers at the end of last season.
"Harvey Elliott would be a great signing for Liverpool and the right move for the player", Murphy said.
"Liverpool are in a very stable position with Klopp and as a youngster, Elliott wouldn’t have to worry about another manager coming in and not seeing him as part of his future plans.
"Klopp has a great record of giving younger players a chance to prove themselves and I’m sure Elliott will get the same opportunity if he buys in to Klopp’s plan. This would give him a great chance to play and train with some of the best players in the world and see what it takes at the top.
"He’s very young and has the chance to develop at Liverpool and then spend a season out on loan if need be. It’s a great opportunity for the player and one I can’t see him passing up on."
Murphy also addressed the concerns some fans have about the lack of summer business so far for the Reds.
"Klopp hasn’t been busy this transfer window as the only players that can improve his team already play for the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. There’s already a lot of depth in the Liverpool squad and it’s hard to improve a team that wins the Champions League and finish the season on 97 points.
"Liverpool had a few long-term injuries last season, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gomez missing a large chuck of the season. They will be like new signings this season and will be playing in the first team. It’s not the end of the world if Klopp isn’t too active in the transfer window."
Comments
Post a Comment