Liverpool are 'future-proofing' themselves for the next 10 years with the signings they've made this summer, according to goalkeeper Ben Foster.
The Reds have made some important signings already this window, with the additions of Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez and Calvin Ramsay. They're gradually lowering the average age of their squad with none of the three signings above the age of 22, although Nunez turns 23 this week.
It's the signing of the Uruguayan that sends the biggest statement of intent as he joins for an initial fee of £64m, potentially rising to a club-record fee of £85m if all add-ons are paid out. Foster, who has made over 300 Premier League appearances throughout his career, believes it's a smart move by the Reds.
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He told his podcast : "Liverpool signing Darwin Nunez, I’ve only seen probably what most people have seen, the games he’s played for Benfica in the Champions League and he looks a player, he looks absolutely incredible. One thing you’ve got to say about Liverpool, they don’t get many transfers wrong especially big boys, they don’t get many transfers wrong.
"He’s a striker, a front-three, left-winger, he looks like he will run his socks off. If Liverpool past players they’ve bought in that position are anything to go by then he’s a sure-fire hit and guaranteed to score a few goals.
"It’s like they’re future-proofing themselves for the next 10 years. The players they’re getting, they’re future-proofing themselves. I read a quote from Jurgen Klopp saying ‘Darwin Nunez is a player they’re looking forward to nurturing and showing how to do it’ I don’t think it’s something you can just pickup and go apart from Diaz because he just picked up and went, didn’t he.
"The difference between them and Man City was just a few draws, a few stinky little draws that they couldn’t get over the line so he’s going to have to hit the ground running."
The Nunez deal does, however, all but signal the end of Sadio Mane's time at Anfield as he's set to depart after six years with the club. Liverpool have agreed a deal with Bayern Munich for the sale, which could earn the club just over £35m including add-ons.
Foster added: "He’s probably got to a point where he wants a new challenge and you can’t really stand in his way but I think he’s going to be a big miss. His work ethic, his quality, he’s got that nous of where to get in the box, when to get into the box at the right time, I think he’s going to be a big miss, I really do, just for how that original front three worked so well. Mane, Firmino, Salah they just worked so well, they knew what they were doing."
