Liverpool Transfer News: Mark Lawrenson Criticises Lack of Width, Latest Rumours

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has slammed the club's decision not to invest in a wide player during the summer transfer window, amid rumours Everton will try to steal a march on Dynamo Kiev star Andriy Yarmolenko.

Writing for the Liverpool Echo, Lawrenson likened the Reds to “a poor man's Arsenal,” calling it a side that will always let you down, before saying he believes other Premier League clubs have already figured out how to deal with Liverpool's attack. He then blamed the lack of quality wide players:

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We are making it harder for ourselves by not having enough width in our team. We haven’t created many chances apart from in the first half against Arsenal, and even that was against a makeshift centre-back pairing. After Arsene Wenger reshuffled things at half-time, we created little in the second half.

Jordon Ibe hasn’t been at it so far this season, but that’s understandable given he’s still young and a lot of expectation has been placed on his shoulders.

But, as has been suggested, we end up playing Alberto Moreno at left midfield because he is good going forward, then what a statement that is.

I’m sorry. But this is Liverpool we are talking about, a team trying to get into the top four. We’re not a Stoke or Newcastle. We have a big squad. We should be better than this.

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With Lazar Markovic leaving the club on loan during the summer―Lawrenson believes he'll never play for Liverpool again―Jordon Ibe is the only true wide player who remains in the squad, and the 19-year-old is too young and inexperienced to be counted on every week.

The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana all have a tendency to cut inside when playing in a wide position, and left-back Joe Gomez is a natural fit in defence but has little experience moving forward. As a result, nearly all of Liverpool's attacks come through the centre.

Lawrenson isn't the only analyst who is critical of the team now that the summer transfer window is over. Former England manager Harry Redknapp took it one step further, per the Telegraph:

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I don’t fancy Liverpool at all.

I think it’s the worst Liverpool team I have seen in years. They look bang average. They are lucky to have any points.

Bournemouth should have beaten them, they got a wonder goal at Stoke. OK, they played all right first-half at Arsenal. I think they will do well to finish in the top five. I am not with Liverpool at all this year.

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Liverpool currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League standings, having won their first two matches of the season before drawing with Arsenal and losing at home to West Ham United. The Hammers' 3-0 win was an embarrassment for the Reds, who were badly outplayed by a team expected to finish well below them.

Brendan Rodgers' squad have scored just two goals in those four matches, tied for worst in the Premier League, and it's clear that the new-look attack is struggling early. Those struggles were to be expected, with new faces Christian Benteke and Firmino needing time to adjust, but star playmaker Coutinho also hasn't been at his best.

It's far too early to start drawing conclusions, however, and there's no point making knee-jerk reactions to one bad loss. As shared by West Ham Central, Lawrenson has a tendency to let his emotions do the talking:

If the lack of width remains a problem, one solution could be Yarmolenko, who is reportedly still a transfer target for the Reds ahead of the January window, as reported by Fichajes.net (via Metro's Louis Sealey). According to Sealey's report, Merseyside rivals Everton are already preparing an £18 million bid, although Artur Petrosyan of Sport-Express.ru says his heart is set on Barcelona:

The 25-year-old became a popular name in transfer speculation toward the end of the summer window, with numerous pundits, including Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe, singing his praises.

Having spent his entire career in Ukraine, the winger has become one of Europe's most versatile forwards, and he could decide it's time to test himself against tougher opposition.

Yarmolenko was excellent in the 2014-15 Europa League, where he completely tore Everton apart with his pace, trickery and deadly shooting. He has the body type of a striker with incredible speed, and while he can play both central or out wide, he does his best work as a winger on the right side.

He would be a fine addition to the squad, but a move is unlikely. Per Sport Witness, the Ukraine international has already stated he plans to stay with Dynamo, and this latest round of transfer rumours appears to be just that—rumours.

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