With news breaking last night that Liverpool have ‘cooled’ their interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, the Reds will be forced into looking at cheaper alternatives in the upcoming summer window.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Jurgen Klopp will still look to sign two or three midfielders to add depth as well as quality to an already ageing midfield area.
This decision has no doubt been intensified by the upcoming departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner, as their contracts are set to expire at the end of June.
Here is a list of three cheaper midfield targets Liverpool should target this summer:
Mason Mount:
A move for Chelsea’s Mason Mount seems to be the most likely at the moment, with Romano describing the 24-year-old as the “priority” signing this summer.
🥇| There appears to be a mutual desire for Mason Mount to come to Liverpool. [@DominicKing_DM] pic.twitter.com/wbxAivrHSB
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) April 12, 2023
Mount has made an outstanding 192 appearances for Chelsea, notching 33 goals and 37 assists in the process. Out of those 70 goal contributions, 21 came in the Premier League last season alone (11 goals and 10 assists).
The one-time Champions League winner is undoubtedly a talented player, but could also provide some much needed energy and work rate into the middle of the pitch.
The links have received mixed reactions from the Anfield faithful, with a lot of fans not entirely convinced on the £75million price tag surrounding his name, despite his current deal at Stamford Bridge expiring next summer.
In my opinion, if Liverpool can negotiate a more favourable deal for the midfielder, I think Mount could offer the creativity and goal contributions that Klopp’s midfield system has been lacking for years.
It’s also important to note that this signing would not only strengthen the midfield, but also gives the front three even more depth and flexibility.
Youri Tielemans:
Reliable Liverpool journalist, Paul Joyce, has been keen to point out that the Leicester midfielder will be available on a free transfer in the summer in recent days.
🎖️| Liverpool are likely to sign at least two midfielders to bolster their engine room and have been linked to numerous targets such as Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Moisés Caicedo, Matheus Nunes and Youri Tielemans, who is available on a…
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) April 11, 2023
The 25-year-old has been a fantastic player for the Foxes over recent years, leading them to European football and an FA Cup triumph back in 2021.
With his contract set to expire in June, this would be the cheapest option on Liverpool’s list of midfield options- which likely means it is one of the more favourable options also.
Tielemans can operate as a box-to-box midfielder, but also has the creativity that you would expect from a traditional number ten.
With 28 goals and 25 assists in 187 appearances, you can see why numerous clubs are interested in a free move for the Belgian international.
Ryan Gravenberch:
Unlike the other two players on this list, Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has no Premier League experience at all but has always been a highly rated youngster across the continent.
The Reds were previously linked with a move for the 20-year-old last summer before his move to the Bundesliga, but Liverpool are reportedly interested in the youngster once again.
🥈| Liverpool have asked to kept informed on Ryan Gravenberch's future at Bayern Munich ahead of a possible summer transfer. [@GraemeBailey and @_scottsaunders] pic.twitter.com/WhSdFh2e7S
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) April 12, 2023
Gravenberch hasn’t quite found his feet at Bayern Munich yet since his move from Ajax in 2022, playing just 323 minutes across 17 appearances in the Bundesliga this season.
The Dutchman doesn’t have the creative ability that the likes of Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans has, but I could see him being shaped into a similar player that Jurgen Klopp made Gini Wijnaldum to in the past.
Despite that, the 20-year-old provides an obvious physical presence in midfield, with his strength, stamina and pace being glaringly strong attributes for the youngster.
The lack of those attributes have been the biggest criticism of Liverpool’s midfield so far this season, with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho no longer having the legs to play Klopp’s counter-pressing style of play- someone of Gravenberch’s profile could be vital in rejuvenating that style.
I’d be in favour of these three coming in, but I think we need a defensive midfielder also. I get that Gravenberch could help in that aspect, but if he is to be the long overdue replacement for Wijnaldum, then I think we would need someone to be the ‘new Fabinho’ too considering the Brazilian’s alarming drop off this season. Hopefully this is a position that will be looked at considering we tried to sign Tchouameni last summer.