Liverpool have already signed one midfielder in Alexis Mac Allister this summer, but he won't be the Reds' only new engine-room arrival.
A long-awaited midfield revamp in 2023 has been promised for over a year, with a number of players of interest on the club's shortlist as they weigh up their options.
Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, Ryan Gravenberch, Gabri Veiga, and Romeo Lavia are all believed to be of interest to Liverpool, while links with the likes of Nicola Barella also continue.
And with the Reds expected to sign at least one more midfielder, if not two, this summer, our writers pick which two reported targets they want to see join Mac Allister at Anfield to complete Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool midfield overhaul...
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Theo Squires
In Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool signed an all-round midfielder who would be comfortable in either their traditional 4-3-3 formation or the new 3-2-2-3 set-up, and can also be utilised in either offensive or defensive roles. One all-rounder is great, but I want more.
The Reds need alternatives to the ageing legs of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Thiago Alcantara. Physical players who are machines winning the ball back, can run and press all day, and can pick out any pass while being impossible to tackle. They need their next Gini Wijnaldum.
So I'm opting for two such players to complement Mac Allister and the aforementioned trio, with Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic, and Harvey Elliott still alternatives. I'm opting for Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch.
My gut feeling is the pair are Liverpool's preferred options and it's easy to see why. Aged 22 and 21 respectively, they are both still so young yet boast so much experience under their belts already. Standing at 6ft 4 and 6ft 3, they could be the most intimidating of pairings.
Comfortable on the ball and versatile, they would restore the intensity and identity that the Reds lost last season while being able to line up as a number six, eight or ten in two-man and three-man midfielders.
Admittedly Liverpool are the mercy of both OGC Nice and Bayern Munich, with it still up in the air whether either player would be allowed to move on this summer. But if a deal does become doable, this powerful box-to-box profile is exactly the sort of midfielder Jurgen Klopp and his squad have been crying out for.
Joe Rimmer
Liverpool need variety in midfield and Alexis Mac Allister seems to be the right fit for the first of three midfield additions.
But who is right to compliment his technical abilities?
It's all about combinations. Fabinho, in my opinion, stays put and is very much part of the team next season. As will be Trent Alexander-Arnold in his new hybrid role and Curtis Jones can hopefully build on his revival last season.
With the likes of Stefan Bajectic, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara options, I think Liverpool's next priority must be a physical presence and somebody who has the legs to support the press.
So my first priority would be to go out and get Khephren Thuram, he appears to tick a lot of boxes for Liverpool and at 22, has the potential to grow into a key midfielder at the club.
The second signing is rather more tricky. Depending how much they spend on Thuram, Nicola Barella would be the dream option. But I'd doubt he'd move for less than £80m or so, making him far less attainable.
Again, depending on the price, I'd be inclined to sign James Ward-Prowse. We know Liverpool need home grown players and it ticks that box immediately. Signing the former Southampton man would resemble the addition of Xherdan Shaqiri in 2018, somebody who more than played his part in Liverpool's success and was moved on for a decent price.
I'd do something similar with Ward-Prowse, who can press, would have no problems settling in and provides an immediate set-piece danger not just from free-kicks but also corners.
Alongside Mac Allister and Thuram, I think that could be a good blend at the right price.
Tom Cavilla
As far as midfield signings go for this summer, I would be looking to recruit Ryan Gravenberch and Romeo Lavia.
Gravenberch is a player who, at 21 years of age, still has plenty of potential despite an underwhelming first season at Bayern Munich. Liverpool were given a first-hand glimpse of his ability when facing off against Ajax during the Champions League group stages in 2020/21 and there’s a reason the Dutchman was in such high demand last summer. Likely to be available for a transfer fee between £20million and £30million, he would represent a relatively low-risk option should a transfer be sanctioned.
Lavia, meanwhile, was a standout performer during what was a dismal season for Southampton. Effective at recovering the ball in key areas of the pitch, Liverpool saw glimpses of this trait from Stefan Bajcetic last term but not from many others in the squad. Adding another individual with this quality to the ranks would certainly bolster the Reds’ midfield department, which has been lacking bite for quite some time.
The Belgian teenager already has a year of Premier League experience under his belt and should therefore find the adaptation process attached to this potential move relatively straightforward. The Saints are said to be demanding in excess of £40m for his services, which could represent value for money if Lavia is able to boast a strong availability record in the coming years. As was the case with the outgoing duo of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, this is a factor that has continued to cost Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Ste Killen
Khephren Thuram should be a priority for Liverpool following the signing of Alexis Mac Allister. The Frenchman poses the perfect opportunity to acquire an heir to Fabinho. On his day, the Brazilian is one of the best holding midfielders in Europe and with the glimpses shown by the France Under-21s international, he can reach a similar mantle.
What was evident last season was the need for defensive stability and with a holding midfielder of Thuram's calibre, Liverpool could be secure in that department for the next few years.
Gabri Veiga would be a logical addition with his capabilities of offering a versatile option across the three-man midfield. Although his age would suggest he is in the infancy of his career, he has already showcased he can be relied upon after helping Celta Vigo to safety from La Liga relegation last season. His reported £35m release clause increases the attraction to welcome him at Anfield in a market where you're seeing the Reds' rivals spending double on their targets.
Liverpool have lacked a goalscoring midfielder for a number of seasons and the opportunity to sign Veiga would be too good to pass up.
