Liverpool second favourites for title but still need to improve midfield – possible targets

Liverpool endured a hugely disappointing 2022/23 campaign. Not only were we dumped out of the cup competitions during the early stages, we also ended up finishing fifth in the league and missed out on Champions League qualification.

Despite the struggles last season, Liverpool are still priced by the betting sites as the second favourites to win the 2023/24 Premier League title. Odds of 8/1 may not have fans rushing to neue casinos online to place a bet on Liverpool to win the title next season. Man City just completed the treble after winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, and they look miles ahead of every other team right now.

Jurgen Klopp knows he needs to strengthen his squad if we’re to compete with Pep Guardiola’s side again, so odds of 8/1 look short right now. City are understandably 8/15 odds-on favourites to retain the title, while last year’s runners-up Arsenal are 9/1. Man Utd  – who came third last season and lost to City in the FA Cup final, are prices at 10/1 to win the title next year.

It’s good to see Liverpool being backed as City’s closest challengers again, despite our poor form last season, but it’s clear we need to bring in some quality players this summer and midfield is the priority. Liverpool were weak in the middle of the park last season and it’s encouraging to see the club make an early move to sign Alexis MacAllister from Brighton.

However, we need more reinforcements as Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are leaving, while Thiago and Jordan Henderson are coming towards the end of their careers.

Here are some possible targets Klopp could look at:

Adrien Rabiot – Juventus

Rabiot is set to leave Juve when his contract expires at the end of the month, so he’ll be available on a free transfer. He’s just come off the back of an excellent season in Italy and is the type of all-action midfield that would really suit Klopp’s style of play. Rabiot is mainly a No.8 but he can also play as a deep-lying playmaker if needed. As a free transfer, he’d be an excellent piece of business – the only issue could be his age as he’s now 28 so Klopp may want someone a little younger.

Ryan Gravenberch – Bayern Munich

Gravenberch made his name at Ajax and big things were expected of him when he joined Bayern in 2022. However, he’s struggled to make the breakthrough in Germany and he’s admitted he wants regular game time. The situation has alerted Liverpool as we’ve been strongly linked with the Dutch youngster in recent months. The 21-year-old could be available for around £30m, which would represent a terrific deal if he fulfilled his potential.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Lazio

Milinkovic-Savic has long been linked with a move to the Premier League but this could be the year he finally comes to England. He’s tipped to leave Lazio after being an excellent servant to the club and a number of top clubs are looking at him. It’s no wonder after he provided 17 goals/assists in 35 games last season, and he’d provide the type of creativity from midfield that Liverpool have lacked. He’s also 28, so not the youngest, and Lazio reportedly want over £50m, so it could be too expensive a deal for Liverpool this summer.

Khephren Thuram – Nice

One player who could fit the profile Klopp is looking for perfectly, is Khephren Thuram. The Nice star has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield this summer with some reports suggesting a deal is close, with personal terms already agreed.

Thuram is a high-energy midfielder who’s just come of the back of a superb season in France. The 22-year-old is on the market for around £35m, so he wouldn’t break the bank, and he has years ahead of him to develop his game further under Klopp’s tutelage. He’s more of a defensive midfielder, so he could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Fabinho.