This summer looks set to be extremely busy for Jurgen Klopp’s team after experiencing a tough season.
The results on the field haven’t been good and now major changes to the squad are set to be in order.
One area in particular that fans and pundits have identified is in MIDFIELD.
Too often this season, Liverpool have looked slow and lethargic in the middle of the park.
James Milner is now 37, Jordan Henderson is 32, Thiago Alcântara is 31, all the wrong side of 30 and Fabinho is 29.
Meanwhile, the injury prone duo, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 29, and Naby Keïta, 28, are both out of contract and due to depart in the summer.
Therefore, changes are imminent.
Let’s go through some potential contenders the club might look to sign.
Moisés Caicedo – Brighton, Defensive Midfield
Now this 21-year-old sensation is extremely good!
A lynchpin of Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls who are, forgive the pun, flying high right now.
There has been interest from the likes of table topping Arsenal, as well as mega bucks Chelsea.
But this has created a bidding war between the Premier League’s top clubs.
Top performances this season, as well as at the World Cup for Ecuador has shot his value through the roof.
It is reported to be in the excess of £70 million, and there are further complications after a huge shock, saw Caicedo recently sign a new contract till 2027, with the option of an extra year.
This means De Zerbi’s team are in no rush to sell and can command a high price.
Verdict:
He would look good in the Reds midfield, but its now looking unlikely he will sign for us.
Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund, Central Midfield
This is the master of the list, and the one that Liverpool fans most want to sign.
One of the best midfielders in world football, and at just 19, unbelievably mature for his age.
A Rolls Royce midfielder and one that could dominate the Liverpool engine room for the next 15 years one Reds fan told me, it seems a no brainer that it could be an estimated £120 million well spent actually.
But would the Liverpool hierarchy see it that way? Perhaps they will want to go cheaper, although Bellingham would be the class act this team desperately needs to drag their level higher.
He could also be a future Liverpool captain.
If recent developments are anything to go by, Steven Gerrard recently showered praise on the youngster whilst interviewing him on international duty.
In conjunction to the fact that, news from within the club is that, although they might not be able to compete with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City an Chelsea, they have offered Bellingham the chance to be the Gerrard of the side.
As well as cheekily offering his father and brother jobs at the club, so it would be a full sign up of BELLINGHAM’S!
Verdict:
This is apparently their number one transfer target. Much will depend on whether Liverpool have the finances for the player, and if they can get Champions League football, and who Mr Bellingham chooses to sign for.
Mason Mount – Chelsea, Attacking Midfield
Another England star, but in contrast to Bellingham, one that has become disenchanted with life at Stamford Bridge.
He is one of the lowest paid members of the squad, yet for a player of such ability, his boyhood team have made little attempt to offer him a pay rise.
Now it looks like, according to the newspapers, Klopp’s men could be about to strike.
In a similar way to when they poached Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal, although in this scenario he was purely nearing the end of his contract.
The same can be said for Mount, meaning Chelsea either have to offer a new deal, cash in or face seeing him leave for free next summer.
Verdict:
Apparent interest from former manager Thomas Tuchel and his new employers Bayern Munich has apparently cooled, giving Liverpool a free run at the player. Although, would he leave his boyhood club? Tough to say.
Ruben Neves – Wolves, Defensive Midfield
The Wanderers captain has also, like Caiciedo, established himself as one of the best in the Premier League.
He leads by example and can put in some crunching tackles, as well as top passes as an assist king.
The Portugal international put in an incredible performance, and scored, as Wolves beat Liverpool 3-0 in the league a couple of months back.
Other clubs, such as Manchester United, will be sniffing around Neves, maybe even Barcelona with veteran Sergio Busquets due to depart.
So, he is destined for bigger things, the question is will it be with Liverpool?
Verdict:
A fee of around £50 million might be enough to net Neves, but Wolves will be desperate to keep hold of their talisman.
James Ward-Prowse – Southampton, Attacking Midfield
The Saints captain is a fantastic player with a nous of scoring stunning free-kicks.
Liverpool did have a habit of poaching players from the south-coast club over the years in Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and of course, Virgil van Dijk.
Perhaps, they felt a bit guilty and haven’t approached them over players ever since.
Van Dijk was a gem and perhaps Ward-Prowse can be too.
At 28, he might be in his prime but still has years of improvement in him and could be worth a punt
Verdict:
Worth around £30 million, it’s unlikely the Reds will be in for him but he would be some addition if the club’s hierarchy could pull it off.
Matheus Nunes – Wolves, Central Midfielder
Another, talented player in the Premier League and one according to news reports, the Kop boss Klopp is very keen to sign.
He has even impressed in numerous encounters this season against Liverpool.
A silky passer of the ball, good with through balls and creating goal scoring situations, he is exactly the type of midfielder the club is looking for.
With an ageing midfield, at 24, he would bring the average age down considerably and add new energy which is desperately needed.
Verdict:
This might be one of the more likely names on the list, and it’s possible he could follow in Diogo Jota’s footsteps, and make the move from Molineux to Anfield.
Sofyan Amrabat – Fiorentina, Defensive Midfield
The Morocco man was colossal on his team’s exciting and mesmerising run to the World Cup semi-finals at the end of last year.
He is now a man in demand.
It is reported that he favours a move to Atletico Madrid over Liverpool, who are said to have met with the player’s representatives.
There is also an outside chance that PSG are also interested in Amrabat.
At 26, he is a good age and could add vital defensive steel to the Reds midfield with Henderson and Milner ageing.
Verdict:
This would be a good option, and Fiorentina may demand around £25 million, but he clearly seems set on La Liga rather than playing in England.
Sergej Milinković-Savić – Lazio, Defensive Midfield
The Serbian hardman is a rock in the centre of the park.
United have tried and failed to sign him for years, such is his commitment and loyalty to Lazio.
He is one of the best midfielders in the world, yet still not playing for a Champions League outfit.
A fierce tackler, Milinković-Savić has the kind of bite the Liverpool midfield has missed too often this season.
Although, the Italian side have been cash strapped for years, they do not seem desperate to sell one of their star players.
Verdict:
A fee of around £55 million might be needed to prise him, but it seems unlikely the Reds will fork out the cash for a player who is 28, but it can never be ruled out.
Florian Neuhaus – Borussia Mönchengladbach, Attacking Midfield
The Bundesliga midfielder was said to be something of a German prodigy.
Yet, no major move to one of the top sides in Bayern or Dortmund has materialised.
Interest has cooled from other clubs, possibly due to a lack of form.
But maybe a new challenge at a new team and in a new league is just what Neuhaus needs.
The German connection with Klopp could be good, and perhaps he could get the best out of the player.
Verdict:
Unlikely, but at around £25 million, this would be a much cheaper option and at 26, he still has potential to improve.
Nicolò Barella – Inter Milan, Attacking Midfield
A playmaker very much on the Spurs radar, when Antonio Conte was in charge.
The Italian’s departure could be Liverpool’s gain.
Barella is a flair player and something the club has been missing since Philippe Coutinho departed back in 2018.
And for years, a replacement has never been sought.
At 26, a popular age it seems for midfielders, it seems the ideal age for maturity on the field, but also to make improvements.
Verdict:
Inter will be reluctant to sell one of their star performers, and sitting in the Champions League quarter-finals, with a genuine chance of going through against Benfica, Barella may already be tempted to stick with the Inter project than going for pastures new.
Michael Olise – Crystal Palace, Winger
The 21-year-old Frenchman is a talent.
He can hit a mean free-kick, as shown get Man United this season.
Whilst, also showing ability to execute well at set pieces.
He would be a much cheaper proven Premier League investment than say Caicedo or Neves.
But Liverpool may not yet be convinced and will need further proof of his potential.
Verdict:
Unlikely for this summer, but a good shout for the future.
Alexis Mac Allister – Brighton, Attacking Midfield
The wildcard on the list, the Argentina World Cup winner has played alongside Lionel Messi, so is clearly in good company.
But he has also impressed as Brighton have stormed into the top six of the Premier League, and are actually three points clear of Liverpool.
His value has clearly risen and Brighton won’t be keen to sell.
Verdict:
An outsider, but he is some player if LFC could secure his services.
