Forget Ederson: Controversial move for 'special' Man Utd player could solve Liverpool's problems

Arne Slot took his time, however, the Liverpool manager has found a way to get his team playing well and winning games.

That he has also managed to nip the fall-out with Mohamed Salah in the bud before it became something bigger is testament to his stature at the club and his ability to problem solve. The plan that he had in his head at the beginning of the season clearly hasn’t worked, but he has adapted and the Reds still have a lot to play for this season.

Overloading the midfield has added greater balance and protection for the defence whilst still carrying a threat in the final third as the Reds boss looks to the January transfer window for reinforcements.

Why Liverpool should move for Kobbie Mainoo

One player that has been linked is Atalanta’s Ederson, the 26-year old Brazil international midfielder whose Gavi-esque profile suggests that Liverpool are looking for a player who can sit in front of the back four and allow those in front of him to create. Ryan Gravenberch is doing a good job, but his absence was sorely felt when he missed a run of games.

The Netherlands international also does his best work in possession and could offer more than Alexis Mac Allister currently is if he was allowed to play further forward.

Although Ederson’s experience and style of play makes him relatively low risk, an even safer option would be a controversial move for Manchester United’s out of favour England international Kobbie Mainoo. Despite impressing on the international stage at the European Championships, Ruben Amorim’s rigid system has seen the 20-year old frozen out and looking for a move.

A player of his ability and who hasn’t been injured, should have played more than 300 minutes so far this season. Mainoo’s energy, aggression and ability to play on the front foot would be perfect under Slot and the £50m price tag for Ederson would more than cover any potential transfer given his status at Old Trafford.

Why is Amorim not playing Mainoo?

Amorim’s rationale for not playing Mainoo, who Paul Scholes has labelled “special” is bizarre and, when asked about criticism from former players about his lack of game time, gave a spikey response, via the club’s official website: "I think again it is normal. I think it's a fact that, me as a manager of Manchester United, I think we are under-achieving. We should have more points, especially this season. So, I take it that naturally. Sometimes they don't have all the information and they balance and see Manchester United with the standards that they lived here, always winning, so it's hard for them to see their club in this situation.

“About Kobbie [Mainoo], I can speak about Kobbie every press conference, sometimes it's harder for me to speak after the game. So it's always the same situation for me. All of them are the same. I know that for you guys, there are some players that you believe [in] a lot and I believe [in] a lot, but sometimes I have to make a choices. We play with two midfielders in these games. We could change in the future, but to Kobbie Mainoo, he is playing in the same position as Bruno Fernandes. Sometimes it's really hard to take Bruno Fernandes out of the team and that is the only reason."

Mainoo isn’t the same type of player as Fernandes which makes the excuse a strange one, especially with Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount all playing more minutes. For whatever reason, Amorim just doesn’t rate Mainoo, which means that Liverpool could pick up a bargain. Would it be controversial? Absolutely. But Mainoo may feel upset by his treatment at United - and there’s no better to make his feelings clear than by moving to their most bitter of rivals.