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Former Premier League midfielder Andy Reid has criticized Liverpool’s summer transfer strategy, arguing that poor spending decisions contributed to its disappointing start to the season.
The defending champions invested more than $526 million in new signings, yet the heavy outlay has so far failed to translate into improved performances on the pitch. Before Saturday’s crucial 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Liverpool had lost six of its previous seven matches in all competitions.
The Reds’ poor run has left them seven points adrift of early Premier League leader Arsenal. Liverpool has also already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace, putting early pressure on Arne Slot and his squad.
Reid has condemned Liverpool’s summer transfer dealings, describing the sale of Luis Diaz as a mistake. The winger, a key figure at Anfield for four seasons, joined Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in July for $85 million.
"Liverpool have spent a hell of a lot of money and if Arne Slot thought his squad should be bigger then maybe they should’ve paid less transfer fees and maybe brought in more," the former Nottingham Forest midfielder told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It’s alright after the event saying they don’t have a big enough squad, you have to cut your cloth accordingly, if you want to build a club that’s capable of building on all fronts like a club, like Liverpool should.
"For me, one of the really big losses in this and, you see how well he’s doing at Bayern Munich, is Luis Diaz. What they’d do to have him and his energy at the moment."
Diaz has made a brilliant start to life in Germany, netting five goals and providing four assists in eight Bundesliga appearances
He was not the only notable exit for Liverpool over the summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid and Darwin Nunez moving to Saudi Arabia.
Back at Anfield, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch scored as Liverpool ended a four-game Premier League losing streak against Aston Villa to move them up to third in the table. After the win, captain Virgil van Dijk criticized the “ridiculous” reaction to the Reds’ recent slump.
"What I have noticed over the last couple of weeks especially is that there is a lot of noise that you have no control over and that we have to deal with as a team," said the Liverpool captain.
"Some of those takes are absolutely ridiculous. But you have to deal with that. It’s outside noise that can reach certain players, the group. It’s about sticking together. We’re not going out there on the pitch to lose games, we’re not going out there to be disappointed after games or leave fans disappointed going home, we want to work our socks off and win games.
"But there’s no guarantee. You play in the Premier League, the highest level, in the biggest league in the world, and it’s difficult to stay calm but you have to do if you want to get back to where we want to be."
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