Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has maintained his stance this summer that the club will only bolster their midfield ranks if the right player becomes available. But Monday’s flat showing in the defeat to Manchester United was the latest reminder of his need for reinforcements.
Liverpool are widely expected to be holding out for next summer when Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham could emerge on the market. But with the Reds already trailing in the Premier League title race, more immediate action may have to be taken.
Express Sport identifies four potential elite options Klopp could use to breathe life into his ageing and injury-riddled midfield before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Youri Tielemans
It’s somewhat surprising to see Youri Tielemans at Leicester City this late into the transfer window, given his contract situation. The box-to-box Belgian is out of contract at the end of the season and would be available to enter talks over a pre-contract agreement elsewhere in January.
It’s reportedly prompted Leicester to be willing to sell for a reduced price, with some suggestions stooping as low as £16million to avoid losing him for free. And after Brendan Rodgers excluded him from the squad to face Southampton last weekend amid strong links to Arsenal, Liverpool could swoop in with a late attempt to secure his services.
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Konrad Laimer
Konrad Laimer is another midfield who has had an uncertain future all summer, with Bayern Munich heavily interested in his signature. Like Tielemans, the 25-year-old is set to leave RB Leipzig on a free transfer next summer, which could leave the Bundesliga side welcoming late bids.
Laimer would offer Klopp the opposite of the lethargic display his midfielders showcased at Old Trafford. His high-energy pressing ability and technical quality on the ball promise he’d slot into the German’s system immediately.
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Florian Neuhaus
Florian Neuhaus’ current contract runs until 2024, but he does have a £35m release clause and links to Liverpool would be nothing new. In 2020, the Reds were thought to be heavily interested in the Borussia Monchengladbach star and could reignite their desire to recruit him this month.
His ability to feature as a box-to-box midfielder as well as in the holding role would undoubtedly appeal to Klopp. And while a move this late would usually draw problems due to the selling club’s doubt over signing a replacement, Neuhaus’ release clause means the transfer would rely on his desire to join.
Lucas Paqueta
Liverpool could launch an 11th-hour hijack of West Ham United’s move for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The Hammers have made a bid worth £34m for the Brazilian, whose agents are in London to try and conclude a deal as talks continue.
Klopp’s side has suffered from a lack of creativity from midfield in his full-back-focused system. But Paqueta would bring a new attacking threat to Anfield, something absent since Philippe Coutinho’s exit, and would likely prefer a move to Liverpool than West Ham if the option was on the table.
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