Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has delayed signing a midfielder this summer with the club’s prime targets unavailable.
The Reds were thought to be keen to welcome a central midfielder to the club throughout the current window despite the Merseyside outfit having already been extremely busy. They secured the signing of Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho early on, whilst striker Darwin Nunez has penned a long-term contract at Anfield in what could potentially be a club record deal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are also closing in on their third deal of the window having agreed to sign Aberdeen starlet Calvin Ramsay. Once the 18-year-old puts pen to paper on his contract, then the Reds’ summer business is set to come to an end.
Liverpool are set to put their midfield search on hold until the summer of 2023, with a number of targets having seemingly already decided their future. The Reds made a firm offer to sign Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni, but he elected to secure a £60m switch to Real Madrid instead.
Interest in Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham remains, with Klopp remaining as a long-term admirer, but with the German side having already been forced to accept Erling Haaland ’s switch to Manchester City, they do not intend on letting another key player depart the Westfalenstadion this summer. Unless the situation changes dramatically, that would see Liverpool be forced to rely on their remaining midfield options for the 2022/23 campaign ahead of a potential push for Bellingham next summer.
Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson emerged as Klopp’s first-choice trio last season and that is likely to remain the case next term. There does however remain plenty of decisions to be made on the side’s current back-up options.
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Former Arsenal man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with a cut-price exit this summer, with fierce rivals Manchester United rumoured to be considering a swoop. Meanwhile, Keita only has a year remaining on his current deal so could well be sold should fresh terms not be agreed.
Milner has of course already agreed a one-year contract extension to stay at Anfield until 2023, with Klopp having praised the attitude of the 36-year-old veteran. Speaking after Milner penned his new deal, the German said: “He continues to perform to a level that meant we simply couldn’t afford to lose him.
“His professionalism is the benchmark for any athlete and it’s why he sets the tone for this team with his ability and attitude. We had the longest campaign possible last season and Millie only got stronger and better and more influential as it went on.”
One other option that the Reds could turn to in midfield next term is academy graduate Curtis Jones - the 21-year-old having earned 18 starts in all competitions last season.
