Liverpool told to make “no brainer” signing of Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez - but is there room for him?

Liverpool should make a "no-brainer" decision and sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, according to former left-back Jose Enrique.

Reports suggest that Atletico boss Diego Simeone is prepared to allow Saul to leave on a season-long loan, with the option to make his move permanent next summer.

That’s despite the 26-year-old scoring two goals in 33 appearances to help the Madrid-based outfit capture the La Liga title last season.

Liverpool have been linked with a swoop for Saul, along with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

Although Jurgen Klopp has ample options in the middle of the park, Spanish defender Enrique - who made 99 outings during his five years at Anfield - believes Saul would add quality to the squad.

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Speaking to Empire of the Kop, the Spaniard said: "If it’s a loan with an option to buy [and not a compulsion to buy] it’s a no-brainer, that’s the reality.

"If he does well – I believe he’s a world-class player and he’d do well – you can buy him, and if not you can just have him for the season.

"In my opinion, I don’t think signing a new midfielder is a priority for Jurgen Klopp. We have Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, James Milner, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago.

"So you have six or seven players for three positions, so why would you sign a new No.8, even if he’s a better option than some of the players already available?

“I believe Klopp has a lot of trust in Elliott – as we saw when he started against Burnley – Curtis Jones is still there but we don’t see too much of him, Keita is there, Thiago is back and played for a bit the other day, Hendo is back, Fabinho will be back soon as well, so we have plenty of options."

Why could Atletico allow Saul to leave?

Saul is a product of Atletico’s academy and been a first-team regular since his breakthrough campaign in the 2014-15 season.

In total, he’s scored 43 goals in 339 appearances and helped Simeone’s men capture the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, two Europa League crowns and the Super Cup.

However, Saul was omitted from Spain’s squad for Euro 2020 earlier this summer.

The Guardian reports his future has been in doubt for some time and he could seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Do Liverpool really need Saul?

There has been a lot of talk about how Liverpool will cope after the departure of Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.

The Dutchman was a vital cog in Klopp’s engine room and made 51 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign - the joint-most along with Mohamed Salah.

Ahead of his side’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Norwich City, however, the Reds boss took umbrage at the suggestion that his midfield may have been left light following Wijnaldum’s exit.

Klopp rattled off his options currently available, with senior players Henderson, Milner, Thiago Alcantara, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain all in the fray.

The former Borussia Dortmund chief also sees youngsters Elliott and Jones playing big parts this season.

Elliott, 18, caught the eye with an impressive performance on his full Premier League debut in the 2-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday.

Jones, meanwhile, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term. He scored four goals in 34 appearances and will be hoping for a similar role at Anfield this time around.

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