Not that I’d ever tell someone how to spend their money, but at the end of the day, there is always a chance to get the same effect, but for less.
According to a report in Sport, Liverpool are set to chase PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa. The 27-year-old defender will be out of contract at the end of the season, and the Reds will be hoping to pick him up on a free transfer.
Predominantly a left-back, it’s going to be hard to see him dislodging Andy Robertson from the first-team anytime soon. The Scot has had that position nailed down for over two years now, and has developed into arguably one of the best in the world at the position, so anyone that does come into the club will more than likely have to settle for a backup role.
And as a result, I don’t think we should be too hasty in ruling out dipping into the academy in all honesty. We’ve seen how much faith Jürgen Klopp puts in the young players of the squad. First you have his use of Trent Alexander-Arnold and turning him into a player that is in the argument for best in the world despite only being 21. Or his use of young players in important games like the FA Cup Merseyside Derby game, with Curtis Jones scoring the winner.
Would you rather the club...
Buy a backup
Use the youth
It’s clear to see that Klopp isn’t afraid to leave spending totally out of the equation and use whatever is at his disposal if and when he has to.
We’ve got a number of left-backs in the academy that are ready and waiting to be given their chance, so given Klopp’s history, I don’t see why we can’t look to those options first rather than bringing in someone who will be on high wages, with Sillyseason reporting him being on as much as €115,000 per week.
Think of how much we’d save in the long run if we promoted he youth to be the backup rather than spending that vast sum on someone who might not play that regularly?