Liverpool scouts are still assessing 22-year-old midfielder, January transfer is unlikely

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool are continuing to assess their options in the defensive midfield market.

Despite an excellent first-half of the season, plenty still believe Liverpool to be one or two players light for a full title challenge.

One big talking point in 2023/24 has been the identity of the Reds’ holding midfielder. Alexis Mac Allister was the man doing that particular job until injury struck him down last month. Since then, Wataru Endo has been brilliant in his stead. But neither feel like the long-term answer for Liverpool.

As a result, the Liverpool ECHO report that the Reds are indeed still searching for the right player to fill the No.6 role for them.

With that in mind, it’s claimed that Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup is ‘being monitored’. With scouts said to be continuing to assess his development, the 22-year-old is on Liverpool’s radar.

However, it’s also reported that any deal would be unlikely to come about in January. That’s supposedly because the Reds are still gathering information on Frendrup, who’s non home-grown status is said to be seen as a ‘drawback’ by Liverpool.

Liverpool not ready on Frendrup

You’d have to say that this is fair enough from Liverpool’s point of view. Frendrup is for sure a talented young defensive midfielder who’s having a very good season.

However, he’s also only now playing his first full season of Serie A football. The sample size is small.

Despite his impressive displays in Italy, the Dane is also yet to make his debut for his national team. 10 U21 caps is the best he’s done in that regard.

If his performances continue in the same way, then that won’t be the case for long, though.

Once he’s made it to the senior team and spent a little while longer in Italy’s top division, then Liverpool can make a better decision on his suitability. There were reports yesterday that the Reds are leading the race for Frendrup, but those look premature.

The lack of home-grown status is interesting, too. That would perhaps suggest that the Reds are preferably looking at a British player in the long-term.

For our money, the man to go for in that regard would have been Declan Rice. He’d have surely been an excellent addition.

But with Rice off the market, there doesn’t feel to be anyone who’s worth going big on just now. Consequently, we think it’s a good idea for Liverpool to bide their time. Frendrup won’t be the only one the Reds are looking at. But looking at him it seems they very much are.