Liverpool take on Porto next week in their Champions League second leg encounter at the Estádio do Dragão, but the match offers an extra degree of interest.
Porto midfielders, Yacine Brahimi and Héctor Herrera, are both out of contract this summer and could possibly be destined for Anfield next season.
Liverpool have missed the attacking midfield flair of Philippe Coutinho this season and have yet to replace the iconic playmaker. Goals have been hard to come by from midfield as the likes of Milner, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita and Wijnaldum, all possess similar defensive qualities.
This indicates that two attacking midfielders will certainly be on the menu this summer for Jurgen Klopp as he aims to improve his side.
Additionally, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have struggled with injuries and could yet continue to do so, meaning attacking midfield talent has been in short abundance. Liverpool’s goals from outside the penalty box has also diminished since Coutinho’s move to Barcelona last year.
The likes of Mahrez, Gündoğan, Sane and De Bruyne have yielded more goals for Man City in midfield compared to that of Liverpool’s. Although, Naby Keita has scored twice in his past two games so Klopp will be buoyed by his continued improvement and contribution to the team. However, on this evidence, the Liverpool owners and strategists will certainly be keen to address this area of the pitch come the summer.
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The good news is they needn’t spend a penny! Well on transfer fees that is. Yacine Brahimi and Héctor Herrera can now be signed for absolutely free. Yes, you heard that correctly, free! As of January, six months before their contract expires, Liverpool are now free to negotiate with their agents.
Algerian winger/playmaker, Yacine Brahimi, is a tremendous talent and has interested the likes of Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal in the past few weeks. He works hard for the team, is fast, skilful and has scored some sensational goals for Porto over the years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1kI1zhIvSY&t=137s&app=desktop
Since Coutinho departed, Liverpool haven’t had a specialised wide player in midfield. Often, striker Sadio Mane has been pushed out wide than playing to his true strengths of through the middle up front.
The potential addition of Brahimi would cure this conundrum and add a new dimension to Liverpool’s attacking midfield options. While Man City have such a strong squad and bench to call upon when the need arises, wouldn’t it be incredible if Liverpool too, had wingers of the ilk of Mahrez and Sane. Especially if Liverpool are chasing the game or need to find that vital breakthrough.
Take for example the matches where Liverpool have struggled to break down teams this season, most notably in the draws against Leicester City, West Ham, Man United and Everton. A player of Brahimi’s quality could come off the bench and be the difference. That is a goal threat Liverpool could absolutely do with next season and the Algerian has all the tools needed to succeed if Klopp were to pursuit his services.
Another talented midfielder at the Estádio do Dragão is Héctor Herrera. It has been suggested that Atlético Madrid are very keen on the midfield dynamo, but nothing has been signed yet. This has kept the door open for Liverpool and other potential suitors to talk to the Mexico international’s agent.
Héctor Herrera, is a very different player to that of Yacine Brahimi. Herrera, like his namesake at Manchester United, Ander Herrera, (no relation by the way) loves to hold things together in the middle of the park.
This is the kind of player that Jurgen Klopp loves. An energetic midfielder who can pass and move, tackle and works hard for the team. Héctor Herrera can offer Liverpool that.
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Porto missed him badly this week as he missed the first leg due to suspension. However, Herrera is back for the second leg! Good news for Porto, bad news for Liverpool.
Everything Porto do, goes through him. He also has an eye for a goal and played a superb World Cup for Mexico as well. It will be well worth watching Herrera next week at close quarters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OKK5eMEZ14&app=desktop
If Liverpool can sign both Brahimi and Herrera, it would represent a massive coup from Jurgen Klopp and the owners. Last summer Liverpool sent out an ambitious message in the transfer market. They could certainly send out a similar statement of intent this summer. The understanding and quality these two midfielders would bring to Anfield is mouth-watering.
Liverpool fans will be keen to see what the talented duo have up their sleeves in next week’s second leg, while also hoping to seal a place in the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition.
Could possible be destined for Liverpool? Based on what exactly? Attacking midfield talent has been in short abundance? short abundance? really? What does short abundance mean. Sadio Mane is suddenly a striker and buying a winger will allow him to play through the middle? So Firminho gets dropped then? This article makes no sense at all. Both players are approaching their thirties and we should be going for them just because they are free? You state that attacking midfield is an area that needs to be addressed in the summer and I agree with that. But you then state that Hector Herrera should be signed? How is he different from the midfielders that are already at the club. The Ox is coming back from injury, Harry Wilson has been ripping it up in the championship and surely deserves a chance to prove himself in the first team but you want to go sign these two players because they are free? We haven’t even been linked with these guys. We need players that are going to take us to the next level. This article is TERRIBLE. I can guarantee that no Liverpool fan is keen to see what this talented duo can do in a game against Liverpool. Massive coup? God there is just so much that i hate about this article. If you have nothing to write just don’t write man. Signing these two players WILL NOT send out an ambitious message in the transfer market. WHat are you smoking man. SO BAD.
I wasn’t going to comment but I felt a need to to balance out the tone of the comments section.
I am quite appreciative of this article. Strength in depth is always a positive. Considering the lack of out and out number 10 we have had this season I think, in the least just in the interest of enjoying the “what ifs” being a football fan entails, these two players make reasonable propositions. Whether you want to believe it, it has been said that we are not looking to spend big this summer so I think a player like Brahimi, who could add some creativity from the midfield and replace the aging and diminishing Lallana would be an incredibly wise coup. Positional versatility has proved dividends this season (see Milner, Henderson, Fabinho etc.) so someone who could rotate with Mane on the left as well would be ideal. And for free! Sounds like an Edwards move.
I do think Brahimi would be a much better fit than Harrera however, unless we were looking to ease the workload on Milner. But then again no one has told his body he is 33.
Thank you for posting. Not quite an article stating anything is set in stone, but indulging the sheer joy of “what if”. A bit of that every now and then makes being a football supporter more pleasant.
Up the supportive and understanding fanbase of the Reds!
I forgot to mention about the age. There is plenty of youth in this squad. Trent is a fetus, Gomez is young, Robertson is young-ish (I am 19 so my calibration is slightly skewed), Keita is young, Brewster is young, Wilson (returning from loan) is young, Fabinho and The Ox aren’t old. We have seen the importance of an experienced head (see Wijnaldum instead of Keita against Chelsea, see Milner and Henderson against Southampton). Both of these players have titles to their name and plenty of year of (European) experience. That is what every team needs to get it over the line at the back end of the season.
Whatever you are smoking, James, you may want to consider continuing (although don’t neglect any health/ethical considerations you may have).
That’s a wonderful article!
Well analysed and the videos are placed just right!
I dont need to watch sports news, this is just perfect for me for updates!
Well done James!
Great article. We have had real success in defence and attack this year, Salah, Firmino and Mane can’t be matched, Allison and the defence have been ace, but we do need to look at midfield. Plus, players being free is a real bonus. Clubs don’t have unlimited money and free transfers have proved so useful to teams like Spurs and Leicester when they won the league.
Also, the comment which is quite negative is less convincing since the author doesn’t seem to know how to spell Firmino’s name!