Liverpool wanted to sign Yves Bissouma this summer but could not beat Tottenham to the former Brighton midfielder, a report claims.
The Reds faced growing calls to add to their engine room throughout the summer transfer window. In the end, they signed Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus on deadline day.
However, the Brazilian has yet to make enough of an impact for the Anfield club. And the fact he is now out injured for up to four months has added to the criticism of Liverpool’s recruitment.
The Merseyside club had links with a number of players in the summer. They had long-term interest in Mali international Bissouma.
Tottenham ended up signing him this summer, but according to The Athletic, Liverpool did indeed go after the 26-year-old in the most recent transfer window.
However, the Reds could not get a deal over the line and Bissouma moved to north London instead.
The revelation adds Bissouma’s name to the list of potential players Klopp was referencing when he confirmed in the summer that Liverpool were rejected by one of their targets.
As well as Bissouma, Aurelien Tchouameni was reportedly a Liverpool target. Although, the Frenchman chose to leave Monaco for Real Madrid instead.
Meanwhile, Matheus Nunes was supposedly on the Reds’ radar before he opted to move to Wolves.
Yves Bissouma still adapting to Tottenham
Bissouma made his mark at Brighton, becoming a standout Premier League player under Graham Potter.
He usually plays in a more defensive midfield role, but can also operate more centrally.
Still, he has so far struggled to stamp his mark at Tottenham.
Despite playing in all but one Premier League game this season, he has only started two of those matches. Furthermore, he has only completed one 90-minute stint in the league.
Bissouma will hope he can earn more minutes at Tottenham, with Antonio Conte careful about his team selection.
The Malian is battling with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur and now Oliver Skipp for minutes.
Liverpool need big midfielder transfer
It feels as if all the news about Liverpool and their midfield of late is bad news.
The failure to sign Bissouma and other targets and a host of injury problems – including now Arthur – have kept the issue in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
And with James Milner, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson all motoring through their thirties, Liverpool need more than one statement midfield signing.
Jude Bellingham could be one of those players, the Borussia Dortmund star coveted by Klopp for a while.
But, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out injured too and likely leaving as free agents next summer, Liverpool need a few big signings in that area to revamp for the future.