Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will run his eye over transfer target during Wolves FA Cup replay

It’s no secret that Liverpool are in need of midfield recruitment with fans and pundits both in agreement that their engine room is in need of an upgrade.

Jurgen Klopp has eluded to it in recent days, but claimed that there will be no signings made during the January window, but he also revealed that a summer re-build is in the works – and part of the foundations for that re-build could begin on Tuesday night.

With the Reds set to face off against Wolves in their FA Cup third round replay at Molineux Stadium, Klopp will most likely have one eye on midfielder in particular - Matheus Nunes. It has been widely reported that he is part of a list of players that the club are keen on signing.

As it has been the case with previous signings, Klopp has been instrumental in persuading a player to join his cause after having seen them play up close.

He has also admitted in the past that after seeing players in the flesh against his side have been decisive moments for signing such a player. Take Darwin Nunez for example. The Uruguayan netted both home and away in the Champions League last season and Klopp claimed that those games made him ‘fall in love’ with the forward, before then going onto sign him in the summer. It also happened with Luis Diaz whilst he was at Porto too.

Considering how important it has been to get signings right during his tenure at the club, seeing Wolves’ talented midfielder up close could be a vital moment in deciding whether or not he opts to give the green light for such a move in the summer.

Their interest has been noted for well over a year, going back to when the Portuguese international was tearing it up at Sporting Lisbon. They opted to pass on a deal during the summer due to the rising fee at the time as Wolves swooped in.

Nunes, 23, wouldn’t be seen as a Jude Bellingham alternative, but instead he would be a replacement for the likely departures of soon-to-be free agents Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. His youthful energy and ability to drive with the ball in midfield would help to re-energise Klopp’s midfield.

Ranking between the 75^th- 95^th percentiles for non-penalty xG, dribbles completed, shots total, touches in the opposition area and progressive passes received reveal that he would be a midfielder that would be given the most license in Klopp’s 4-3-3 system. Goals from midfield has always been an issue during his time at the club, as the German manager has typically favoured more workmanlike trio that have allowed his full-backs and front three to cause havoc.

There’s a lot of solid attributes to work with for Klopp with Nunes and he could thrive in a team that expects to have the majority of the ball in almost every game they play, rather Wolves so far, who are the league’s lowest scorers.

No matter the outcome on Tuesady night, there will be at the very least a small focus on the midfielder from Liverpool’s standpoint and if he produces a particularly eye-catching performance, expect the links and rumours to intensify ahead of a proposed summer move.