We’re wavering from the point. The point that the two clubs who have won the most league titles in English football history have spent hideous amounts on largely unproven youngsters. We shouldn’t be at all surprised though.
Liverpool’s lavish spending got underway in January with an outlay of close to £57m on two strikers. One of these was Andrew Carroll of one and half seasons Premier League experience for £35m. Today’s purchase is a just as tricky to decipher. Jordan Henderson cost the club £16m plus David N’Gog, thus taking it to £20m altogether. It’s hard to see where he’ll fit into the side. The youngster excelled in the centre of midfield for Sunderland. He’s unlikely to unseat Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles or Lucas Leiva though. Wide right would look the preferred option. You can’t help but think £20m can get you a better wide player than Henderson.
Whether Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) believe that they need to recreate the hot stove of Major League Baseball, we’ll never know. Up against the financial might of Manchester City it may be tricky. They have the added “Anfield mystique” and a boss who has a proven pedigree though.