Liverpool will now switch their focus to bolstering their midfield during the January transfer window, after signing Cody Gakpo.
That’s according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that Liverpool’s priority will be to bring in a new midfielder next year.
However, the journalist also suggested that this is unlikely to be Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez. Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the World Cup winner. But Romano claims that the Reds have no intention of triggering his £105m release clause.
With the window not due to open until tomorrow, Liverpool have already done great business by bringing in Gakpo. A midfielder should always have been their priority, though. Strap yourselves in Reds, a month of heavy speculation lies ahead.
Liverpool playing with fire in the market
When analysing Romano’s tweet here, it would be wrong to ignore the quotes from Klopp at the top of it.
The manager’s claim that “we’ve to collect money for a bit,” will not sit well with fans. On top of a report from The Times today that Liverpool’s business is unlikely to stretch beyond Gakpo, there is cause for concern.
Ordinarily, one top quality attacking addition would be more than enough for the Reds in January. That was the case with Luis Diaz last year and hopefully Gakpo can have a similar impact.
But this isn’t an ordinary year for Liverpool. They are well off the pace in the Premier League and the root cause for that is abundantly clear: the midfield is creaking.
It was there in plain sight for everyone once again last night. Klopp’s side may have eventually beaten Leicester City courtesy of two own goals, but they weren’t convincing at all.
Of the midfield trio containing Harvey Elliott, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara, only Thiago looked of the required standard.
Things improved a little when Naby Keita entered the field, but the Guinean can’t be relied upon. Yes, Arthur Melo will return soon but how long until he’s up to the fitness level needed?
No, Liverpool have to act. Not to do so would be negligent in the extreme. There is money there, the move for Gakpo tells us as much. £105m for Fernandez is eye-watering, but there’ll be better value options out there. Liverpool simply must take one of them.
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