Liverpool signing £85m Real star Valverde may be bad for five players

Harvey Elliott

Klopp’s issues in midfield have been so dire that he has been forced to experiment with James Milner and Harvey Elliott joining Fabinho through the middle.

But the positive note is that Elliott has flourished in a fluid No 8 role, proving to be an energetic presence in linking the midfield and the attack together. The obvious downside to Valverde joining Liverpool would mean that Elliott is either shifted about somewhere else on the pitch or used as an impact substitute.

That would be represent a huge disappointment for the 19-year-old, who has produced some excellent performances in a Liverpool shirt this season. However, he is still very young and may be willing to bide his time and wait for a chance to win back his spot if he is dropped by his manager.

Curtis Jones

At 21, Jones is at the age where playing every week is not a need but an absolute necessity if he is to realise his potential — and there are certainly doubts he can achieve that with Liverpool.

The attacking midfielder has shown glimpses of his ability in his 75 appearances for the club since his debut three years ago, and his return of eight goals is not to be sniffed at. But injuries and a lack of consistent form have cost him a regular spot under Klopp.

Similar to Carvalho and Elliott, Jones will have to be patient and wait for his chance as Valverde is likely to command an automatic starting spot. The alternative is to consider moving elsewhere where he may be able to guarantee more football — but Klopp would loathe to lose a useful squad player like Jones has proved to be.