Liverpool hailed for “unusual” transfer quality as “best signing of season” made

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After falling short in their quest for the quadruple, Liverpool could find themselves dipping into the transfer market again as they chase a second league title under Jurgen Klopp

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Premier League transfer news and rumours: 30/5/22

Liverpool have received praise for their ability to keep transfer deals under wraps, with former Reds star Mark Lawrenson identifying the Diogo Jota deal as a standout example.

The Champions League finalists have a big summer ahead of them after losing out to Real Madrid at the Stade de France on Saturday night. Sadio Mane could yet move on, while former club captain Steven Gerrard has pointed to the need for a new number eight to provide goals from midfield.

Sporting director Michael Edwards is also on his way out, with Julian Ward stepping into the role after playing his part in the January acquisition of Luis Diaz. However, the Reds may well have done their best bit of business already by agreeing a contract extension with manager Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp himself had praised Liverpool’s ownership and football operations team for their work on the Diaz deal, the first big-money signing since Edwards confirmed his exit, and more Ward-led moves could follow this summer. The former Porto forward’s impact has been instant since his £37.5million switch, with six goals already since January.

“One thing the club have been really good at, and this is really unusual, is they’ve bought players and the day they’ve signed them is when everyone’s found out,” Lawrenson, speaking on behalf of 888sport, told Mirror Football . “No one has found out that they’re coming in. Jota was the greatest example. I think Klopp likes doing his business that way.

“The other thing as well, talking about Klopp, is the best signing of the season is the fact that he’s extended his contract. He’s really, seriously, been absolutely brilliant.

“And the great thing for him is he’s left alone by the Americans, it’s like they know what he can do and just go ‘do you need any help?’. How good is that from owners. He’s saying he had to ask his wife [about extending] but I don’t think he really did, I think everybody knows.”

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Lawrenson has suggested Darwin Nunez would be the ideal replacement if Mane does indeed leave this summer. However, he has also recognised the work Ward has been doing to build on Edwards’ foundations while praising Klopp’s coaching of the new recruits.

“That’s the thing about the manager, there’s very few [players] that haven’t really made it,” Lawrenson continued. “Loris Karius didn’t work for him, but I can’t really remember anybody that’s really bombed.

“Also the fact that when you look at some of the players they’ve sold, they’ve done brilliantly selling people on. [Dominic] Solanke, [Danny] Ward, they’ve got really good money.

“That’s also the good side about it as well. When the team gets better and better and the club gets bigger, when people come and try to buy your players you just up the ante.”

M ark Lawrenson was speaking on behalf of 888sport . Head to 888sport for the latest Premier League odds