Liverpool have already signed Marko Grujic for the new campaign, but have been linked with a number of potential new central midfielders on top of the young Serbian acquisition.
Here, we’ve ranked eight of them in order of preference this summer. Liverpool either need a physical, experienced midfielder or someone with technical and passing ability – so we can create from deep and dictate possession more easily.
What do you think, Reds? Which of these would you prefer Liverpool signed, if any?
8) Samuel Bastien – Anderlecht
Linked? Yes: Express (No offer, talks ongoing)
A young talented, 19-year-old, Bastien will not be able to immediately strengthen our central midfield and would do well to make the bench. If he signs, we’ll need another more experienced player as well.
7) Piotr Zielinski – Udinese
Linked? Yes: Express (Napoli have overtaken us in race for Pole’s signature)
A tidy footballer but very similar to Joe Allen, and lacks the physicality to boss a Premier League midfield, for us. Seems we’ve cooled our interest anyway.
6) Pierre Hojbjerg – Bayern Munich
Linked? Yes: Daily Star (Player is definitely leaving; represents Klopp-type transfer
Talented young Dane who can’t get in Bayern’s team. Hojbjerg is stylish on the ball and likes to link defence and attack, but possesses no real physical attributes yet and would have to be eased into the first-team.
5) Ignacio Camacho – Malaga
Linked? Yes: La Opinion Deportes (Valencia now favourites)
A hard-nosed, no-nonsense holding midfielder, Camacho is reliable, sturdy and would be an upgrade on Lucas. However, he’s currently negotiating with Valencia.
4) Hector Herrera – Porto
Linked? Yes: Fox Sports Mexico (also a Napoli target)
Right age at 26, and on the back of a wonderful season with Porto, Herrera provides box-to-box energy, goals and leadership, but is arguably too similar to Henderson and Milner.
3) Nuri Sahin – Borussia Dortmund
Linked? Yes: AMK (Klopp still rates Sahin very highly)
Was voted the best player in Germany under Klopp back in 2011, and provides the kind of passing ability we need centrally. Also has unfinished business on Merseyside, and belongs to a selling club.
2) Rueben Neves – Porto
Linked? Yes: Record (Would cost £32m)
A deeplying playmaker who oozes class and composure, the 19-year-old could develop into one of the silkiest midfielders in Europe. Only problem is he’ll cost a bomb.
1) Mahmoud Dahoud – Borussia Monchengladbach
Linked? Yes:
Our favourite target. Dahoud is a bundle of energy but can score and create as well as win back possession all over the park. At 20, his talent knows no bounds – although his club won’t want to sell after already losing Granit Xhaka to Arsenal.