Jamie Carragher says he is ‘baffled’ watching one Liverpool player amid John Henry claim

Jamie Carragher admits he’s ‘baffled’ watching Cody Gakpo’s early Liverpool performances - and can’t understand why midfield was not instead strengthened last month.

Gakpo signed for the Reds from PSV Eindhoven in the January transfer window for a fee that could reach £45 million.

However, the versatile forward has made a slow start at Anfield and failed to score in his opening six appearances.

Many fans have clamoured for Jurgen Klopp’s side to sign a midfielder throughout the underwhelming season. Liverpool sit just 10th in the Premier League table and face missing out on Champions League qualification.

Carragher, writing for The Telegraph, believes there were funds for Klopp to improve his engine room - and questioned why Gakpo was brought in.

The former Reds defender said: “Since the summer of 2022, Liverpool have committed £180 million on four attackers in Luis Díaz, Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. Liverpool’s owners did not fail to invest. They failed to invest in a midfielder. Now they need a new midfield.

“Liverpool wanted to sign one in Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco, knowing his market value was £75 million. When Tchouameni chose Real Madrid, the money was there if Klopp wanted an alternative, but he opted to wait until 2023, hoping he will lure Jude Bellingham. That was Klopp’s call, not owner John W. Henry’s.

“In attack, Diaz started his Liverpool brilliantly but Nunez is a work in progress, and I am baffled watching Gakpo’s early performances. Gakpo is not a typical Klopp signing, lacking lightning pace and the capacity to lead a high press. Why commit up to £45 million on someone who will be on the bench when Diaz and Diogo Jota are fit? Especially when another area of the team needed strengthening?”