Xavi Simons and Liverpool: Room for Genius or Just Admiration?

Liverpool’s recruitment department rarely misses a trick, and with Arne Slot set to bring his brand of high-tempo Dutch efficiency to Anfield, attention is already turning to what kind of profiles might enhance the squad. David Lynch, speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, has provided an intriguing nugget: Liverpool “definitely like” RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. And while interest doesn’t always equate to action, this one carries weight.

Simons has been linked with a switch to Merseyside, in a move that could be worth up to £70million.

A Complicated Fit for a Complex Talent

Simons is no ordinary target. Still just 21, he’s already been at the heart of multiple rebuilds—first at PSV, then PSG, and now at RB Leipzig. His flair, technical skill, and positional versatility make him an obvious asset, but as Lynch points out:

“Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai are already in the attacking midfielder position, then on the left there’s Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. So something has got to give in those positions to make this a possibility.”

The issue isn’t about quality—Simons has plenty of that. It’s about squad architecture, balance, and planning. Arne Slot inherits a team brimming with attacking midfielders and wide forwards. Adding another, even one as talented as Simons, could cause congestion unless there’s movement out.

Transfer Reality Check

One of the most revealing points Lynch made in the Anfield Index interview was about the nature of Simons’ Leipzig deal:

“He looks pretty much nailed on to leave RB Leipzig this summer because he only signed a two-year contract.”

That detail cannot be overstated. A short-term deal at a club like Leipzig is a neon sign to the market. Simons may well have intended Leipzig as a stepping stone, and with his trajectory, a Premier League move would make sense.

But Liverpool aren’t operating in a vacuum. Manchester United have been linked. Arsenal too. And with his pedigree, Barcelona may sniff around again. As Lynch rightly notes,

“Whether that comes to anything this summer depends a lot on the competition around him and where you can fit him in the squad.”

In short, the player may be keen, the club may be admiring—but unless someone exits, it’s just admiration for now.

Arne Slot’s System Could Tip the Scales

Yet, this is where Arne Slot’s influence becomes more than just a managerial curiosity. He favours fluid systems with interchangeable attacking roles—a setup where a player like Simons could thrive. He doesn’t restrict creative talents; he empowers them.

And if, for example, Cody Gakpo were to move into a more central striking role, or if interest in Luis Diaz from Spain materialises into something more concrete, Liverpool might suddenly have a slot—literally and figuratively.

A front four of Szoboszlai, Elliott, Simons and Nunez, rotating with Gakpo and Jota, could offer the kind of depth needed to challenge on all fronts. But again, that’s contingent on movement—Liverpool don’t stockpile stars for the sake of it.

Eyes on the Market

So what does it all mean for now? As Lynch so succinctly put it:

“In terms of whether Liverpool act on their interest, there has to be spots opened up in the squad before anything happens.”

Liverpool fans would do well to temper excitement with realism. This isn’t the first time a young talent has been admired but not pursued. Simons is clearly liked, possibly loved—but a summer move depends not just on desire, but on design.

For now, the club is watching. But in the chaotic theatre of the transfer market, admiration can become action overnight.