Liverpool’s next statement signing could be a player who has quietly fallen out of favour at title-contending Man City — Tijjani Reijnders.
The Dutchman took the Premier League by storm after arriving from AC Milan last summer, and for a while, he looked like another ruthless City midfield upgrade. That story has changed quickly.
Reijnders has been an unused substitute in five of the last nine games as Pep Guardiola chases down Arsenal for the title. The City move is not going as he would have hoped. A move to Liverpool, though, might suit him far better.
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Tijjani Reijnders would be a perfect signing for Liverpool
Liverpool already have a strong Dutch contingent under Arne Slot. Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong and Cody Gakpo are teammates of Reijnders with the national team.
He is not just another technical midfielder. He has the legs, energy and carrying power to play in a high-tempo Liverpool midfield, but his technical level is what makes him an elite option.
Reijnders can receive under pressure, break lines with his passing and arrive late around the box to finish off the move. That is exactly the kind of all-action midfielder Liverpool need as they struggle to find intensity.
His start at City showed why Guardiola wanted him. He scored and assisted on his Premier League debut against Wolves. Liverpool fans lamented not signing Reijnders after that game.
The issue is that his role has tailed off. City have leaned more heavily on other options, and with Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Cherki and others competing for central minutes, Reijnders suddenly looks less essential than he did in August.
That creates a possible opening. City paid around £46 million to sign him from Milan, so they are unlikely to let him leave cheaply after one season.
Much may also depend on Guardiola. He could leave City at the end of the season, and a new manager might favour Reijnders more. If not, Liverpool should be starting the conversation.
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The Reds cannot afford a quiet summer in midfield. They need players who already understand elite football, Premier League speed and positional flexibility.
Reijnders has shown all of that. Like James Milner before him, he may yet discover that leaving City for Liverpool is not a step down, but the right move for him at this stage in his career.
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