Jurgen Klopp is planning to completely revamp Liverpool’s midfield, adding uncertainty to the futures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
That’s according to journalist David Lynch. Writing for liverpool.com, Lynch claims that Klopp is planning to ‘future-proof’ Liverpool’s midfield, starting this summer.
That could reportedly mean that neither Oxlade-Chamberlain nor Keita’s deals, which currently run until 2023, will be renewed.
Lynch claims that Ox in particular is looking like a dead man walking at Liverpool, with forward opportunities now ‘completely closed off’ after Luis Diaz’s January arrival.
Instead, Liverpool will look to bring in fresh faces. Lynch reports that the ‘midfield revolution’ will began with the anticipated arrival of Fabio Carvalho this summer and will continue from thereon.
Liverpool turn to Tchouameni
One player who could reportedly be a part of Klopp’s ‘revolution’ is Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Foot Mercato reported yesterday that Liverpool have now made contact with the players entourage about a potential move this summer.
Watching Tchouameni play, he doesn’t necessarily resemble either Oxlade-Chamberlain or Keita. Rather, the 22-year-old looks to be a slightly more defensively-minded player.
Although a different player to Fabinho, it would make the most sense if his signing were a succession plan for Brazilian.
That doesn’t mean that Fabinho is showing any signs of slowing down. He has been brilliant as ever again this season and is still just twenty-eight. He also claimed just last month that he has no intention of leaving Liverpool any time soon.
But he does miss the occasional chunk of games through injury. He also can’t play every game, no matter how much Klopp might want him to.
Without a natural replacement in his number 6 role, Klopp has often had to shoehorn Jordan Henderson into doing Fabinho’s job. Although he can play it capably, he isn’t a specialist in the position.
Tchouameni looks like, given the right coaching, he could be.
For now, both Oxalde-Chamberlain and Keita have their part to play in Liverpool’s hunt for more trophies. Keita in particular has been a big part of Klopp’s squad as they hit the home stretch of the season.
Klopp also claimed last week that Keita has ‘a bright future’ suggesting that he still has more to offer Liverpool.
Good performances now could mean that Klopp may decide that Liverpool’s central revamp can wait a little longer.