Liverpool are putting the last touches to their plans for the upcoming transfer window.
The Reds have number of things to address in the market, with Arne Slot ready to assess the group he has inherited from Jurgen Klopp.
In truth, Slot is well set up for another tilt at the Premier League title. Klopp has left the Liverpool squad in a good place ahead of the new head coach coming in.
Nevertheless, there are one or two areas that could do with some attention. Centre-back is likely to be one of them, while there have also been reports that Liverpool will target a new forward.
Along with those two positions – and potentially a new back-up ‘keeper – there is said to be one more role which Liverpool have their eye on strengthening.
Liverpool shopping for new defensive midfielder
Most Liverpool supporters would likely agree with Jamie Carragher that a new defender has to be the priority this summer.
Although Jarell Quansah has stepped in marvellously this season the Reds haven’t bought a centre-back since 2021. With Joel Matip having now left the club, it’s time for that to change.
Beyond that though, there is a strong argument that Liverpool haven’t solved a glaring problem from as far back as last summer.
Ever since Fabinho left, the Reds have been short of a top-class defensive midfielder. They tried to get one last summer, but with other options unavailable to them, settled for Wataru Endo.
Endo has done a good job on the whole, but at 31 he isn’t the long-term answer. And speaking on his YouTube channel on Wednesday, journalist David Lynch said that Liverpool were still actively looking for the elusive Fabinho replacement.
“There’s been a couple of links so far this summer already to defensive midfielders,” Lynch explains. “You look at Alan Varela at Porto and Ederson at Atalanta. Reports in the foreign press say these are players Liverpool are looking at.
“I do think it’s interesting, we know – and I can vouch for this personally – the defensive midfield market is something Liverpool have been looking at for such a long time,” adds the reporter.
“It’s not guaranteed these players will be sought in this window, it’s definitely a market they are looking at at the very least. They are looking what’s out there and keeping a close eye on certain players. Whether that turns into something we’ll have to see.”
Will Liverpool sign a defensive midfielder?
It’s worth pointing out that although Lynch says Liverpool are actively in the market for a new defensive midfielder, he does also say that in his opinion one will not be signed.
This will disappoint supporters, who may have been excited by links to players such as Varela and Ederson.
On the face of it, it does look an oversight for Liverpool to continue ignoring their need for a top holding player.
Having said that, there’s a chance that Slot doesn’t need one. It all depends on how he wants to set the team up.
If he plays with two instead of three midfielders, for example, then you could definitely argue that Liverpool already have more than enough.
With Stefan Bajcetic also still to come back into the picture, it’s worth taking a look at what he can do before pulling the trigger on a signing. It may not be a popular choice and it’s wise for Liverpool to look, but we agree with Lynch. We don’t think one will be signed.