Steve McManaman has cast doubt over Liverpool's reported central midfield shortlist, insisting there are reasons why all five players will not join Jurgen Klopp's side.
The Reds are expected to sign a new central midfielder next summer. Captain Jordan Henderson, 32, Thaigo, 31, and James Milner, 36, are all in their thirties, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are out of contract in June 2023.
Klopp admitted Liverpool needed to boost their central midfield department in August but insisted he would only purchase the right player. They signed Arthur on a season-long loan from Juventus on deadline day as a temporary solution to their problem.
Jude Bellingham is believed to be Liverpool's first-choice transfer target. The England international, 19, is already putting in eye-catching displays in the Champions League and is expected to play a key role in England's World Cup campaign later this year.
Bellingham is on the books at Borussia Dortmund and is valued at more than £100million. McManaman, who started his career at Anfield, believes he would be a great signing for Liverpool but is unsure whether the youngster will want to leave Dortmund.
"A lot of it will be down to personal preference," McManaman told Horseracing.net of Bellingham. "If he continues his trajectory then he will be good enough for whichever club that gets him. Secondly, It’s dependent on whether he wants to come back to England."
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McManaman added: "He’s certainly the type of player that Liverpool would be interested in and most teams for that matter. No doubt there’s been lots of teams who’ve been in conversation with his agent. They’ll already be whittling down the ideal club for Jude.
"The most important thing for Jude is that he has a good season. Prospective buyers will be looking closely at how he plays this year, so he will have to impress. Hopefully he can have an impressive World Cup with England as that will greatly benefit his future."
Another player on Liverpool's rumoured shortlist is Federico Valverde. The Uruguay international, 24, helped Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last season's Champions League final and still has five years left on his deal. He is valued at more than £85m.
Yet McManaman, who won two Champions Leagues at Real, doesn't think Valverde will leave the Spanish giants. "I don't believe a move to Liverpool will come to fruition," the former winger added. "He’s indispensable to Real Madrid."
Liverpool have also been linked with Brighton youngster Moises Caicedo, Aston Villa ace Douglas Luiz and Leicester star Youri Tielemans, but McManaman believes none of those players are good enough - at this moment in time, at least - to lead Liverpool's midfield.
Caicedo, 20, has impressed at Brighton this season but is inexperienced, with only 14 Premier League games under his belt. McManaman said: "If they’re in the hunt for more midfielders, then I believe Caicedo will be on their list, but certainly not at the top of it."
Brazil stalwart Luiz, 24, and Belgium international Tielemans, 25, are out of contract at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer as things stand. Yet McManaman has advised Liverpool to sign neither midfielder.
On Luiz, he said: "I'm not convinced it will be a smart bit of business by Liverpool to move for Douglas Luiz... I think he’s a good player, but I believe he needs to be quicker in a lot of the things he does to suit the style of football that Liverpool play."
McManaman added: "I don’t want to be disparaging towards either of these two players because they’re good Premier League players. Are they good enough to get in the starting line-up of one of the world’s best teams? I just don’t think so at the moment."
