Liverpool remain in the hunt to make a potential midfield signing before the transfer window closes and amid ongoing links for Nicolo Barella and Konrad Laimer.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been forced into a rapid U-turn on his plans not to make another signing. With deals for Fabio Cavalho, Calvin Ramsay and Darwin Nunez long since done, the Reds’ business for the summer was seemingly over. However, a series of injuries in his midfield area has left Klopp to consider a late raid.
Indeed, they started the new campaign with nine senior midfield options, only to see their options decimated. To that end, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones have all recently spent time on the sidelines.
Furthermore, the spotlight has shifted on to veteran stars James Milner and Jordan Henderson following their struggles against Manchester United.
Liverpool have since bounced back, emphatically putting Bournemouth to the sword 9-0. However, tougher tests are to come and Klopp has joked that reporters were right all along about their need for a new midfielder.
As such, it’s little surprise to see the Reds linked with a string of midfield names. Sheffield United’s Sander Berge and Houssem Aouar are two names seemingly in the mix, And former midfielder Didi Hamann has something of a maverick suggestion, with the German claiming the Reds should look at a Newcastle man as a possible option.
Whoever they sign, it seems Liverpool will work up until the last moments to try and find a new addition.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Klopp insists the hunt remains on, though they won’t just spend for the sake of it.
“We are looking for it,” Klopp said. “If it is the right player, we need him. If it is not the right player, we don’t need him.”
Nicolo Barella, Konrad Laimer links cleared up
Given the window slams shut at 11pm, Thursday, Liverpool face a race against time to get a move finalised.
Indeed, trusted transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on their hunt.
Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano stated: “The club do not want to sign just any player for the sake of it. But they are still putting in a lot of work trying to identify the right kind of player.
“However, even though they’re continuing to do their research, at the moment, there are no easy options.”
Two other names linked with Liverpool in recent days are Laimer of RB Leipzig and Inter Milan schemer Barella.
The Reds, though, appear unlikely to sign either, with Romano stating why he’s not expecting either player to move to
“Konrad Laimer was appreciated but RB Leipzig will not let him leave now. So Liverpool will have to explore other names from now until tomorrow night’s deadline,” Romano added.
“I know a lot of you want to know if Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella is an option, but unfortunately, he is not. There is no chance for the Italian to move to Anfield this summer.”
Youri Tielemans might be an option for Liverpool
Despite the lateness of any new transfer arrival, you can guarantee any potential new signing will be someone well researched by Liverpool.
Sporting director Julian Ward has a lengthy database of prospective targets, so any new arrival will be a player well respected at the club.
To that end, the Reds are not in the habit of wasting their finances and signing players who do not contribute.
However, we do wonder if all these links to overseas stars are something of a smokescreen and whether any new signing will actually be closer to home?
Were they to pursue such an option, Leicester City star Youri Tielemans looks an obvious candidate.
He remains on the market despite persistent links all summer long. With just 10 months left on his deal, the Foxes are willing to sell for a fee of around £25m.
Arsenal have been strongly linked but are yet to make a firm push to bring him in.
An excellent passer of the ball, and with an eye for goal, his signing is one that would make sense for Liverpool.
And given the price that Leicester are seeking, he’s not one that would break the bank for Klopp and Co.
Meanwhile, reports on Wednesday are also claiming Liverpool are charging into contention to sign an Aston Villa star.
