3 ways Liverpool can replace Gini Wijnaldum after latest reports

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Gini Wijnaldum is leaving Liverpool, according to the latest reports. Here are three ways the Reds can replace their outgoing champion.

The Mirror reports that Gini Wijnaldum is off to Barcelona. He sees them as a dream destination and if that’s the case, Liverpool didn’t have a real chance.

So how do the Reds handle a post-Wijnaldum team? Here are three ways they can replace the £25m Dutchman.

Looking within

There isn’t necessarily a need to sign anyone here. Thiago’s arrival could work as the real replacement.

We imagine, for one thing, that the preferred midfield trio is Thiago – Fabinho – Jordan Henderson. Thus Liverpool don’t really need a first-team player here.

And with that in mind, they could ‘promote’ Curtis Jones as an option, giving him more games. Then a youngster can take the deep squad role that Jones should have had this season – perhaps Leighton Clarkson?

This is the cheap approach, certainly.

Change of formation

Liverpool have a lot of midfielders. That’s sensible in a 4-3-3 but perhaps this is an opportunity to move in a different direction?

We expect Liverpool to revamp their squad this summer. In that case, any star signings may necessitate a change of plans.

Say Liverpool went for Erling Haaland, for instance. He’s not a ‘False 9’ like Roberto Firmino and that means the current 4-3-3 would have to change anyway. 4-2-3-1 is a way to do that, playing with a traditional centre-forward.

It all depends on how Jurgen Klopp wants to do things and who Liverpool can sign. But it could be that they don’t need so many midfielders next season.

With that in mind, they may not replace Wijnaldum’s spot with a midfielder at all.

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Of course, they could do the sensible thing and sign a new, young box-to-box midfielder. Two stand out in that regard, both linked to Liverpool.

Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Liverpool are in for Renato Sanches this summer. Sanches is 23 and fits the profile of a well-rounded Liverpool midfielder.

Similarly, ESPN linked them with Yves Bissouma late last year. He’s another young midfielder who fits the mould.

This is the route we expect Liverpool to go. It’s the lowest risk and keeps a successful side ticking over with a similar player.