Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing a series of articles on possible summer transfer targets for Liverpool F.C. Firstly, we must look at the current and potential gaps in the squad for next season and will then narrow down potential signings at each of those positions. These possible outgoing players will give us an idea of which positions will need the most help.
Starting off with the goalkeeping position, Alisson is the undisputed No.1 and won’t be going anywhere. Adrián seems to be happy with his third string role and as a senior figurehead of the squad, provides much needed experience and guidance to new incoming players. Caoimhin Kelleher, an excellent deputy in recent years, is rumored to be looking for first team football and might leave Liverpool this summer.
In defence, Liverpool found adequate cover for Robertson a few years ago in Kostas Tsimikas but Alexander-Arnold has not had a decent backup since Nathaniel Clyne left the club. However, last summer’s signing Calvin Ramsay has apparently impressed for the U-21 side this season and the hope is he will be ready to play the backup RB role for next season.
Centre-back is where Liverpool may need the most help in defence. It is rumored that Joël Matip will be leaving Liverpool this summer after several years of excellent service and it is also possible that Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips will be sold this summer to bring in some funds for incomings.
Midfield is where the majority of supporters and pundits alike have agreed that Liverpool need the most help. Starting out with the CDM role, Fabinho has had a resurgence of late compared to his poor early season form and there has been the welcome emergence of Stefan Bajčetić. However, a new defensive or holding midfielder to provide cover and impetus for Fabinho and one that has more experience than Bajčetić is sorely needed.
Moving on to central midfielders, it is accepted amongst the Liverpool faithful that Milner will be leaving at the end of this season, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta will move on this summer and that Liverpool will decline the option to buy Arthur Melo. This leaves Henderson and Thiago as the only fit senior central midfielders in the squad. This is the engine room for Klopp’s team and two players on the wrong side of 30 is not enough, 2 to 3 additions in this area are a must for Liverpool to return their best.
Finishing off with the attack, this is the one area where Liverpool may not need to add to. However at the time of writing, Liverpool are losing fan-favorite and modern day legend Roberto Firmino on a free transfer this summer as his contract closes out, so Klopp may seek to bolster his attacking options.
However, Liverpool have recruited smartly over the past few seasons to bring in younger and hungrier players like Núñez, Gakpo, Díaz and Jota, all of whom can be a part of the starting XI on their day. Liverpool’s current record Premier League goal scorer Salah is still here and there is exceptional youth options in Carvalho and Elliott waiting in the wings.
So what we will be looking at in this series of articles will be additions to the following positions: a new backup goalkeeper, 2 centre backs, a holding/defensive midfielder, 2 centre midfielders, and an attacking midfielder/forward.
In this next edition of our weekly series on potential signings for the summer, we will be focusing on the defensive/holding midfield position.
Currently Liverpool have 2 outright defensive midfielders in Fabinho and Bajčetić. While Thiago and Henderson can both play the role, they are better utilised as center midfielders and will be focused on in the next edition of our series. As great as this breakout season has been for Bajčetić; not only has he suffered a serious injury blow that ends this season, Klopp cannot expect him to shoulder the burden of anchoring the midfield for the majority of next season. It is safe to presume that once he returns from injury, Bajčetić will have secured a spot on the bench and will be in the plans for the foreseeable future. Fabinho will be expected to retain the starting CDM role, but his output has been lacking this season even though he has improved in recent weeks and it is widely acknowledged that a backup CDM is required to provide impetus. Similar to Alisson this season, complacency has set in and there must be competition for positions such that Fabinho will either step up to the challenge and return to his best or lose his place to an equally or more capable teammate.
With center midfield recruitment being the more pressing need in the squad, it is not guaranteed that a defensive midfielder is signed this summer. However, it is possible that Klopp and co. look to bring in a player that is versatile and can play more than one position. That being said, the criteria we will be looking at will be similar to that of Fabinho when Liverpool brought him in; around 25 years old, tall, strong, good in the air, has great passing ability, and looks to progress the ball quickly.
1. Khéphren Thuram – 21 years old – OGC Nice
The youngest and most inexperienced on this list, Khéphren Thuram (son of World Cup winner Lillian Thuram and brother of Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram) shows the most promise. Standing at 6’ 3”, Thuram is physically imposing and able to move the ball well while creating opportunities in the final third. While not the strongest on the list defensively, he has stated before he enjoys the defensive side of the game more and with his size and physicality, Klopp could transform him into a midfield destroyer much like Fabinho. He could stand to improve his duel success percentage given his size, but he uses his pace to get back on defence and provides a good number of clearances, interceptions, and blocks. Where he is most like Fabinho is in his offensive game; Thuram ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for progressive carries and successful take-ons. While his passing accuracy could do with a little help, he enjoys pushing the team forward as he provides 0.2 assists, 1.2 chances created, 0.2 through balls attempted and 0.7 successful lay-offs per 90 minutes (the most compared to other players on this list). Listed at just €25m, the cheapest and of course the riskiest option, and acknowledging that he has plenty of suitors this summer, it is very likely that he leaves Nice. However, the chances of him ending up at Liverpool depend on whether they decide to push for more proven talent.
2. Ismaël Bennacer – 25 years old – A.C. Milan
Probably the highest profile target on this list, Ismaël Bennacer has been bossing the middle of the pitch for AC Milan since 2019. Bennacer was pivotal in their quest to their first Serie A title in a decade. While AC Milan have had a poor run of form in the league this season, they have qualified for the quarter-finals in the Champions League for the first time in a decade as well. Bennacer has been key to that success and it is no surprise that both Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly keen to bring him in. While not the best defensive option on the list and not as physically imposing, he is better than Thuram in duels contested, tackles made, wins more fouls, recovers the ball more often and has a better duel success percentage (54.5% to 47.14%). Bennacer stands out above the rest in his offensive abilities; averaging more touches, assists, chances created, and forward passes per 90 minutes. Moreover, he is most like Fabinho as he shines in the transition game, boasting the highest passing accuracy and take-on success percentage. While he has recently signed a new long-term contract with A.C. Milan, he is listed at €40m and with reports that AC Milan are interested in Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, there is a chance that the clubs swap players. However, with reports that Arsenal are still looking at Moisés Caicedo and Declan Rice in addition to bringing in Jorginho in January, Bennacer might be surplus to requirements and could leave room for Liverpool to jump in with a bid.
3. João Palhinha – 27 years old – Fulham F.C.
Unlike all the other players in this series of articles, João Palhinha is above the typical 25 year old threshold that most Liverpool signings seem to be under. However, where Palhinha shines the most is where Liverpool need the most help. He is by far the best defensive option on this list and one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League this season. A pressing and tackling machine, his lack of touches and his ability to retain the ball compared to others on this list suggests he is very comfortable working off the ball, putting in a defensive shift, and making the most out of the touches he does get. Compared to all other players in the Premier League this season, Palhinha ranks first in most tackles made and duels won. Moreover, playing for Fulham, who utilise a counter attacking play style requires long and hard running which could be well utilised to bring back Klopp’s gegenpressing tactic that has been sorely missing this season. In a new statistic available this season, Palhinha is clear of anyone else in the League with his tackles generating 2.04 expected goals. This shows how he could carve out a role at Liverpool by sitting as a ‘6’ and being an intense presser who wins the ball and passes it on to more progressive ‘8’s (look for potential targets in this role in next weeks edition in this series). Listed at €35m, but probably closer to €50m due to his outstanding displays this season, Liverpool would find it very hard to find a better option to give Fabinho a break, but this depends on where defensive midfield lies on their priority list.
It is widely accepted that Liverpool must find new recruitments for their aging midfield; what is not widely known is what profile of player they are valuing the most. If they are looking for young potential and raw talent; Thuram is probably the best option. If they want to play a possession based game and require a technically gifted player; Bennacer is the best bet. If they want to return to playing on the counter-attack and utilising the pace of their wide players; then Palhinha offers the best defensive cover. As mentioned previously, Liverpool require 2 – 3 midfield additions, whether those are all center midfielders or a combination of defensive midfield, center midfield and attacking midfield remains to be seen, but all 3 options offer versatility which we know Klopp values highly.
Midfield is where the majority of supporters and pundits alike have agreed that Liverpool need the most help. Starting out with the CDM role, Fabinho has had a resurgence of late compared to his poor early season form and there has been the welcome emergence of Stefan Bajčetić. However, a new defensive or holding midfielder to provide cover and impetus for Fabinho and one that has more experience than Bajčetić is sorely needed.
Moving on to central midfielders, it is accepted amongst the Liverpool faithful that Milner will be leaving at the end of this season, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta will move on this summer and that Liverpool will decline the option to buy Arthur Melo. This leaves Henderson and Thiago as the only fit senior central midfielders in the squad. This is the engine room for Klopp’s team and two players on the wrong side of 30 is not enough, 2 to 3 additions in this area are a must for Liverpool to return their best.
Finishing off with the attack, this is the one area where Liverpool may not need to add to. However at the time of writing, Liverpool are losing fan-favorite and modern day legend Roberto Firmino on a free transfer this summer as his contract closes out, so Klopp may seek to bolster his attacking options.
However, Liverpool have recruited smartly over the past few seasons to bring in younger and hungrier players like Núñez, Gakpo, Díaz and Jota, all of whom can be a part of the starting XI on their day. Liverpool’s current record Premier League goal scorer Salah is still here and there is exceptional youth options in Carvalho and Elliott waiting in the wings.
So what we will be looking at in this series of articles will be additions to the following positions: a new backup goalkeeper, 2 centre backs, a holding/defensive midfielder, 2 centre midfielders, and an attacking midfielder/forward.
In this next edition of our weekly series on potential signings for the summer, we will be focusing on the defensive/holding midfield position.
Currently Liverpool have 2 outright defensive midfielders in Fabinho and Bajčetić. While Thiago and Henderson can both play the role, they are better utilised as center midfielders and will be focused on in the next edition of our series. As great as this breakout season has been for Bajčetić; not only has he suffered a serious injury blow that ends this season, Klopp cannot expect him to shoulder the burden of anchoring the midfield for the majority of next season. It is safe to presume that once he returns from injury, Bajčetić will have secured a spot on the bench and will be in the plans for the foreseeable future. Fabinho will be expected to retain the starting CDM role, but his output has been lacking this season even though he has improved in recent weeks and it is widely acknowledged that a backup CDM is required to provide impetus. Similar to Alisson this season, complacency has set in and there must be competition for positions such that Fabinho will either step up to the challenge and return to his best or lose his place to an equally or more capable teammate.
With center midfield recruitment being the more pressing need in the squad, it is not guaranteed that a defensive midfielder is signed this summer.
However, it is possible that Klopp and co. look to bring in a player that is versatile and can play more than one position. That being said, the criteria we will be looking at will be similar to that of Fabinho when Liverpool brought him in; around 25 years old, tall, strong, good in the air, has great passing ability, and looks to progress the ball quickly.