Liverpool should be looking to sign the likes of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli this summer, says Stan Collymore, with Fenway Sports Group called upon to back an elaborate spending spree by Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds did break their transfer record when landing £75 million ($100m) man Virgil van Dijk in January, while Naby Keita is set to arrive in a £52m ($69m) deal, but there are funds available from the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona and a run through to the Champions League final.
Collymore wants to see those invested back into the squad, with it vital that the Anfield board display some ambition in the next window if the gap is to be closed on Manchester City in the Premier League and progress maintained in Europe.
The former Reds striker wrote in a column for the Daily Mirror: “The pressure is on the Fenway Sports Group – and now they have to deliver for Jurgen Klopp.
“Liverpool’s owners need to use the Champions League Final as a platform to build a squad that is capable of standing squarely toe-to-toe with those being assembled in Manchester.
“The first XI put together by the affable German has shown that, on its day, it can compete with the very best.
“It has dismantled defences across Europe. It has shredded a lot of reputations in the Premier League as goals have rained down.
“But, for all of their promise in the second half of this season, Liverpool do not have the strength in depth of their two great rivals.”
Collymore added: “If the Reds are to close the gap, they need genuine A-listers as back-up. And I believe now is the time to strike.
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“By reaching two European finals in three seasons, Klopp has shown he can manage.
“And now FSG have to demonstrate their commitment too by using the £75m-plus generated by this run and back their man in the transfer market.
“I am not talking about signing the likes of Andy Robertson – as good as he has been.
“I am talking about wandering into White Hart Lane, plonking £150m on the table in front of Daniel Levy and saying: ‘I’ll give you that for Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Dele Alli.’
“I would still like the owners to give the green light for three or four marquee signings.”
Liverpool are being linked with several high-profile signings, with it possible that additions could be made across the board.
A disastrous showing by Loris Karius in a 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid has reignited calls for a new goalkeeper to be found, while defensive issues remain and greater options are required in the final third to support the ‘Fab Three’ of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
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