Liverpool’s midfield problems were laid bare yet again last night as Leeds United delivered the latest blow to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Reds were beaten in the Premier League at Anfield for the first time in over 18 months. At the heart of it yet again was Liverpool’s inability to control the middle of the pitch.
Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara both struggled to deal with the Leeds press as they were overrun time after time.
The defeat, fresh from losing against Nottingham Forest last week, has reopened the debate about who can improve Liverpool’s midfield. With that in mind, the news that Brighton are ready to sell Moises Caicedo could be perfect timing.
With the January transfer window fast approaching, Liverpool are going to have to do something. The arrival of Caicedo would be a great way of refreshing a floundering area of the pitch.
Caicedo news comes at the perfect time for Liverpool
Liverpool were first rumoured to be interested in Caicedo towards the end of the summer transfer window. But back then, manager Graham Potter flatly ruled out selling the 20-year-old.
With Potter now gone and Brighton looking for a fresh start, The Mirror claim that Caicedo could be on the way out, too.
The catch is that the Seagulls are reportedly looking for £85m to sell one of their most promising players. Throw into the mix that Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United are said to be pursuing him too, and Liverpool may have no chance.
But as it becomes clear that they are in for a long old season, Liverpool need to go big this winter. Jude Bellingham may soon be out of their reach. As a result, they have to find the next best thing.
Caicedo and Bellingham are different players, that’s also true. The Ecuador international is more defensive minded than his English counterpart. As a result, Liverpool should look to him as a potential Fabinho replacement.
The 29-year-old has been poor this season, there’s no escaping it. He plays such a big role for Liverpool that when he’s off form, the whole team looks easier to play against.
Unfortunately, Fabinho has been off form in near enough every game this season. That continued again last night. Liverpool need to start planning to replace the £44m man before it becomes too late.
In that respect, the Caicedo news today should give them heart. A like-for-like swap he may not be, but it should at least make the Reds aware that there are players out there and available who could improve them.
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