Kevin Kilbane criticised Liverpool’s lack of spending this summer on Friday morning’s OTB AM.
The former Everton player said that there’s been “a bit of a negative feel about the performances in preseason. They’ve not necessarily been at it.”
Kilbane thought the champions of Europe wouldn’t have rested on their laurels this summer after their Champions League triumph in May.
“I did expect Liverpool to invest. Judging from what they’ve done over the last couple of seasons they’ve gone out and made a big signing early.
“Last season Alisson was done and dusted [early], it was what they needed,” he said.
However, Jurgen Klopp must be happy to work with the players already at his disposal, according to Kilbane.
“The board and Klopp have obviously sat down and [decided] this is the policy for the summer. ‘Look, we’re not making any big signings, are you happy with what you’ve got?’
“Klopp must be happy with it because I’m sure he would have seriously pushed to strengthen in one or two departments, that would’ve been the case,” he added.
Struggle
Kilbane thinks Liverpool will struggle because of the long season their front three had.
“The front three have been away all summer. Firmino came back and scored last weekend, are they going to be up to speed? No, they’re not going to be up to speed for the first weekend,” he predicted.
He also thinks that the Reds could slip back in the chasing pack behind champions Manchester City, with a rested Tottenham squad pushing Liverpool.
“I think Tottenham will be a lot stronger this year. Tottenham will be right at it from the start of the season.
“If Liverpool will be playing catch up in terms of the squad now, they’ve not been able to get back in to have a full preseason and they’ve not strengthened, that is the worry for Liverpool,” Kevin Kilbane said.
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