Liverpool, 19th July 2023* – Liverpool Football Club is in the midst of a midfield overhaul, as the departure of key players has prompted the need for reinforcements. With the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Arthur Melo bidding farewell, Liverpool’s midfield depth is yet to be adequately addressed.
While the club has already secured the services of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, their acquisition alone is not sufficient to address the depth issues at Anfield.
In addition to the impending departure of Fabinho and the uncertainty surrounding Jordan Henderson’s future, Liverpool now finds themselves facing another predicament.
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Romeo Lavia, a name frequently heard within the Liverpool camp, has been the topic of ongoing negotiations. However, the Reds are determined not to exceed a maximum transfer fee of £40 million, with hopes of driving down the price. In the event that a deal with Lavia falls through, Liverpool must explore alternative options.
The Shuffle Begins: Liverpool’s Midfield Exodus and the Urgent Need for Reinforcement
Amidst the transfer rumors, one name that has emerged is Benfica midfielder, Florentino Luis. The 21-year-old has raised eyebrows by liking posts mentioning Liverpool and even following the club on Instagram. Luis, a defensive midfielder, could potentially be a more affordable option compared to Lavia. Moreover, his pass accuracy and tackles made last season surpassed those of the current Southampton midfielder. However, it is important to consider that Lavia has already experienced the physical demands of the Premier League while playing for a struggling team.
Following an impressive performance in the World Cup, Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat has also been linked to Liverpool. Amrabat’s leadership skills could be a valuable addition, especially if Henderson departs. However, this deal also appears unlikely, given Manchester United’s aggressive pursuit of the talented midfielder.
Two other players who have been linked to Liverpool are Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich and Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City. Despite their undeniable talent, both players received limited game time last season, leading to speculations about their potential move to Liverpool. However, acquiring either player would prove challenging, as Bayern Munich may need to sell Gravenberch to finance their pursuit of Harry Kane, while Manchester City is unlikely to sell to their title rivals.
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Interestingly, Khéphren Thuram, who was previously strongly linked with Liverpool, may resurface as a potential target. Although talks cooled off after the signing of Szoboszlai, considering the potential lack of depth in midfield, Liverpool may reignite their interest in Thuram.
Manu Kone was another player heavily linked to Liverpool at the start of the transfer window. However, with the midfielder sustaining an injury during under-21 international duty and expected to be out for 2-3 months, Liverpool began exploring other options.
The Race Heats Up: Arsenal’s Interest in Lavia
Liverpool needs to act swiftly as Arsenal is also vying for the services of Southampton’s Romeo Lavia. With rumors of Thomas Partey’s departure from Arsenal, they too are in search of a quality replacement for the Ghanaian.
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Considering the imminent departure of Liverpool’s long-serving midfield duo, the acquisitions of Thuram and Lavia would be ideal. Lavia, a promising young talent, has the potential to become one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders with proper guidance. On the other hand, Thuram shares similar attributes to Henderson, often dropping back to play in the defensive midfield position when the wing-backs push forward. In comparison to his French counterpart, Emmanuel “Manu” Kone, Thuram boasts a higher Expected Goals (xG), pass completion rate, and successful challenge rate, making him the more favorable choice to fill the void left by the departing Liverpool captain.
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Liverpool is now under pressure to secure suitable reinforcements for their midfield. As the transfer window progresses, the club must navigate its options carefully to ensure a strong and competitive squad for the upcoming season.
