Noel Whelan has claimed Frenkie de Jong could reject Man United in favour of a January move to Liverpool.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Jurgen Klopp’s side are in need of “fresh blood and fresh legs” in the midfield area after their poor start to the season.
According to ESPN (21 October), Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United are ready to lead the race for De Jong in January should he choose to leave Barcelona.
The report claims that interested clubs have “received encouragement” from the midfielder on a potential move after he chose not to join Man United during the summer window.
De Jong, who is under contract until June 2026, has started six of Barcelona’s 11 La Liga games this term – scoring once.
Liverpool, who sit eighth in the Premier League after their 1-0 away loss at Nottingham Forest on Saturday (22 October), have struggled to cope without a number of midfield injuries this term.
Whelan backed De Jong to “thrive” alongside key man Thiago Alcantara at Anfield.
When asked if the former Ajax star could solve some of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield headaches, he told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Yeah, I think so.
“They’re a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team at the moment. One good game followed by one poor game.
“It’s a real head-scratcher for Jurgen Klopp to have this inconsistency in performances constantly.
“We know they’re an ageing side in midfield. They need fresh blood and fresh legs.
“Frenkie de Jong would probably thrive in this Liverpool side. I think he’d rather go to Liverpool than Man United, even though Man United have had the better start.
“This Liverpool side would compliment him much more. If you put him in alongside Thiago, there’s a lot of experience.”