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Reds’ Needs For A Number Six

Encounters, like that which played out at Brighton at the weekend, will continue to show why Liverpool require a dominating defensive midfielder to allow the gaping holes to be plugged more effectively. The pre-season months saw Jörg Schmadtke take the odd moment away from his Ibiza retreat, in order to show some participation in the reds summer of change. Despite varying bids being made for the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, and Cheick Doucouré, the solitary signing of Wataru Endō was the only defensive reinforcement added during a largely successful middle-ground overhaul. The crazy antics of the obscene spending Chelsea, clearly paid a large part in the Anfield shortcomings, however, the lack of a prominent and permanent Sporting Director left the reds lacking in that one vital area of the pitch.

Cheick Doucouré

João Palhinha

Lucas Gourna-Douath

Soungoutou Magassa

André

Above are the players I would like to see targeted, with my ideal name at the top of the list and my preferences thereafter in descending order. I am doubtful that the huge money would be needed will be spent on either Cheick Doucouré or João Palhinha, therefore a move for either Lucas Gourna-Douath or Soungoutou Magassa would be more logical. This article will focus on the former of the two youngsters, with some details on the tenacious Frenchman shown below.

Lucas Gourna-Douath

Age – 20-years old (DOB 05/08/2003) Current Club – Red Bull Salzburg Playing Positions – CDM / CM Height – 6ft 2inches Weight – 81kg Appearances – 118 games Career Goals & Assists – 1 / 4 Total Minutes Played – 7,103 International Caps & Goals – 0 games / 0 goal Contract Expiry – June 30 – 2027 Transfermarkt Value – €12m

Make no mistake, this is a monstrous specimen of a player and someone that could be signed in January with very little fuss. Brighton are said to be keeping tabs on the RB product, which always provides a good indication of what the player could become. For a fee of around €25m – €35m, the recently called-upon France under-21 player would represent brilliant business for a player that is as well-regarded as a young Aurélien Tchouaméni once was. In once offering Lavia a starting place in the growth of Liverpool 2.0, it is abundantly clear that a young and exciting destroyer was, and still is, desired. In the former Southampton player, there was perhaps a more cultured and deep-lying element to work with, therefore, it was a shame that our dithering saw him end up languishing in the Stamford Bridge stands. What has happened in the aftermath (of only signing the Japan captain) is observing an unsure Alexis Mac Allister struggle to perform the role of a holding midfield man, despite lacking the true attributes needed to excel there.

Destroyer

This temporary patchwork has, at least, highlighted what is desperately required: an aggressive and specialist destroyer. The need for a deep-lying playmaker is surely now negated by Trent Alexander Arnold stepping in as the double pivot six, with his authority and desire to play further forward meaning a more ferocious partner would be ideal. In the young RB Salzburg man, there is once again a product that has been immersed into a program that Liverpool Football Club love to explore. With energy and dangerous intent to his game, he could be that explosive ball of fire that can be thrown in amongst the more attacking technicians. We have all seen the brilliant start that Manuel Ugarte has had at PSG, as his ball-winning ways have seen him become vital to the Paris teams on and off ball patterns of play. It is abundantly clear that this regeneration period is lacking one or two pieces; therefore, a move for Lucas Gourna-Douath would make for a very happy new year.

Hopefully, a sporting director can be announced in the next month, which will allow the kind of winter coordination that could make this season a memorable one.

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