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I'll say again, we went into last season a left back and a centre-back (and possibly a DM) light because we fannied about right up until the deadline with issues regarding Sakho trying to prise Hector and others on the cheap. We thought we would get away with that as we had no Europe, even though we knew Mane (and possibly Matip, had we checked with his FA) would be away in January. Imo, it cost us two places in the Prem and probably a cup final. This summer is even more vital - if we are expecting this team to waltz through a CL qualifier because we're seeded, and therefore we can play a waiting game for our targets - well even with Salah, I don't: not based on our form up till May last season.
It's a false economy - risking CL qualification (and we won't be seeded, I believe, for the group stages if we get through?) to save, what, @ £20m? I've read the reports that Klopp doesn't want to be painted into a corner like Brod was three years ago when he lost Suarez, missed out on Sanchez, and was forced to buy Balotelli on the window deadline. Well I've pointed out that danger too - and looking back, wouldn't it have made more sense to use all the Suarez money on Sanchez? Okay, some will say he had his mind made up to go to Arsenal, but the point is we dithered like **** with money in our hands and ended up losing more than that by going into the CL with Raheem Sterling as our star man - and he just wasn't up to it.
So, IF we get through the qualifier and get VVD, Keta and a LB before the deadline, then all will say Jurgen is a genius. If we go out the CL qualifier but still get VVD, Keita and a LB, then we'll do well in the Prem and possibly a cup - run, but will we be progressing, and what of the CL money (and attractiveness to new players) will we miss out on? But, worse case scenario, imo, if we get through to CL group stages but still keep this squad (even if we have a usual couple of panic-buys), then we're ****ed (especially in the CL where it'll be like feeding the Christians to the lions in the Colosseum time). So no, JK, nobody wants panic buys - but between you and FSG it's time to realise that today's market dictates that you pay over-the-odds to get your player in on time, exactly to avoid panic buys?
PS, What's the bets that Ford doesn't play in the CL qualifiers just in case he needs to be sold?