Dan Bardell shares ‘mad’ Liverpool transfer verdict
Dan Bardell believes Liverpool have had a good transfer window despite signing only two players this summer.
The Reds confirmed the signing of Federico Chiesa from Juventus on 29 August, a day after signing Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will remain with his former side of the 2024/25 campaign [Sky Sports].
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, Bardell shared his “mad” verdict and believes the Reds are on an upward trajectory under new manager Arne Slot after an unbeaten start to the season.
“I think it’s a really good window for Liverpool. I like that Slot’s gone in there and not demanded a load of signings.
“He’s taken stock of what he’s got at his disposal already and thought ‘right, there’s a good set of players here that have achieved brilliant things over the the years, we’re going to play in a different way and I think I can extract a lot out of the players that are already there and maybe develop some players games from within’.
“Liverpool will only go in for the right players. Obviously [Martin] Zubimendi was someone who they wanted and he’s turned them down. There’s not a player on the market that fits what he did in their eyes and they’re not going to go in and make a panic signing and they’re going to work with what they’ve got from within.
“I really like Chiesa – it smacks of being an opportunistic signing, someone who can play in multiple attacking positions, someone who has lost his way a little bit although he did slightly rebuild himself last season.
“He’s someone that’s really got a high ceiling and someone who in the right environment will really, really thrive because he’s a good player.
“I think Liverpool have a good window, which may sound mad considering they haven’t been particularly active, but I think they’re well set for a good season and a season of evolving under Arne Slot which was always going to be difficult because [Jurgen] Klopp was there for so long.
“But I’m really liking what he’s doing at Liverpool so far.”
Arne Slot can take Liverpool to the next level this season
If there is one criticism, if any, to be made on Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool it would be the defensive vulnerability that came with the heavy gegenpress style he implemented at Anfield.
After three Premier League wins in as many matches topped with the 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Reds look a different beast under Slot.
The Dutchman has adopted a more controlled variant of Klopp’s style and the Reds have looked more comfortable as a result, this is a far cry from the side that found themselves trailing by a goal more often than not last term with the Reds yet to concede in the league this season.
Klopp will be forever known as the boss who restored the Champions League and Premier League titles to Anfield, Considering how dominant his Liverpool side was for many years, he easily could have added one or two more of each title to his resume.
Manchester City look as determined as ever this season, so Slot will need to replicate what the German achieved in those famous Premier League title races of 2019 and 2022 and go one better with the same side that capitulated towards the business end of last season.
The Reds still have areas of concern in defensive midfield and centre-back and sporting director Richard Hughes cannot shy away from the fact he failed Slot by failing to acquire the relevant upgrades in those positions.
However, Slot is making it work with his inherited side and passed his first real test at Old Trafford but the jury is still out. Time will tell whether Liverpool will keep pace with Man City when there will be two matches per week after the international break.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds are confident a ‘super’ youth talent signed from Chelsea will become a star.
For more Liverpool women news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.