‘Absolute mess’ – Carragher & Neville blast Liverpool’s transfer activity as Chelsea win race for Caicedo & Lavia

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have criticised Liverpool’s transfer policy as Chelsea have won the race for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. 

The Reds looked close to signing Caicedo after they agreed a £110 million deal with Brighton & Hove Albion. 

But the Ecuadorian wanted a move to Stamford Bridge, and the Blues quickly launched an improved £115m bid that was accepted by the Seagulls. 

They have now confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old in a British transfer record. 

Liverpool have also agreed a £60m deal for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, but it looks like they will miss out on the Belgian. 

The 19-year-old wants to play under Mauricio Pochettino rather than heading to Merseyside, per David Ornstein. 

Missing out on their two key targets is a big blow for Liverpool, who need midfield reinforcements for the 2023-24 season. 

They have signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, but more recruitment is needed following the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo.

Jamie Carragher blasted his former club for their transfer policy. He told Sky Sports: “Liverpool are in a pretty difficult place – people know they are desperate.

“They put a bid in for Lavia today for £60m when they refused to pay £50m four or five days ago. It’s an absolute mess and a joke.

“The biggest problem about it is that Liverpool have known they have needed midfield reinforcements since August of last season, 12 months ago. So to not have things in order…”

Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville also criticised the Reds, claiming they face a big problem in the remaining three weeks of the transfer window.

He was surprised they allowed Henderson and Fabinho to leave Anfield without first bringing in their replacements. 

“If Chelsea buy both of those players, there will be massive questions asked based on what’s happened in the last week,” said Neville. “This is very un-Liverpool-like.

“We know Chelsea have spent big money, but for them to beat Liverpool to both players, it would be absolutely stunning.

“They’ve let Milner, Henderson and Fabinho go before they’ve got someone in, which what I thought Liverpool were quite smart at is bringing the people in before they expose themselves. Obviously, Milner left and they got two fees for those two.

“They’ve got a big problem now – they’re going to be panicking in the transfer window over the next three weeks. Liverpool don’t do that under Jurgen Klopp.

“They’ve been so smooth and efficient in the transfer market. I don’t know how that’s happened, obviously, it’s to do with personnel.”