The 3-0 defeat suffered at Brighton in the Premier League over the weekend was another poor performance with most fans, and pundits, pointing towards Liverpool’s midfield as the main issue.
We’ve seen the likes of Thiago, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson all fail to hit their usual high standards and the back-up forces of Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho havestruggled to provide an answer.
Where once this Liverpool side would fight for every ball and pile on pressure at every opportunity, this season they look off the pace are too easily dominated.
Reports suggest Liverpool will allow Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita’s contracts to run down this season and they will be free to leave in the summer. Two players out means space for new arrivals, but who could they target?
Where once this Liverpool side would fight for every ball and pile on pressure at every opportunity, this season they look off the pace are too easily dominated.
5. Teun Koopmeiners
Reportedly one of Liverpool’s targets, the Atalanta midfielder has caught the eye of a number of Europe’s top sides and the 24-year-old is another technically great midfielder who could add energy, quality and an attacking impetus into midfield. He ranks in the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions for all midfielders in Europe and could certainly add something to Liverpool’s midfield.
6. Kouadio Kone
Moving away from attacking attributes, Kouadio Kone may not be the most high-profile name, but the French 21-year-old midfielder is young, hungry and energetic. He is on the verge of making a move to big club having starred for Borussia Monchengladbach. Not only is he an excellent ball carrier who can drive his team up the pitch, he loves to tackle and his all-action style of play would help to invigorate Klopp’s midfield.
7. Khephren Thuram
Another player linked with Liverpool, Khephren Thuram-Ulie is very much in the same mould as Kouadio Kone and the Frenchman has starred for Nice as another all-action midfielder who can do a bit of everything. That could be perfect for Klopp’s 4-3-3 system and, whilst he is still young, signing now would mean Liverpool would have a great young midfielder who they could mould alongside more experienced figures.
8. Sofyan Amrabat
The tough-tacking defensive midfielder was a real star of Morocco’s semi-final run at the World Cup, showcasing his excellent defensive attributes as well as possessing an incredible engine to go above and beyond in midfield. Despite reports that he prefers a move to Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone is set to leave at the end of the season which could change things, plus, given he won’t leave until the summer, there’s plenty of time for other clubs to come forward, including Liverpool who could have found someone to fill in for Fabinho. Photo: Gabriele Maltinti