Jurgen Klopp’s requirements for a midfielder can only be satisfied by either one of their €71M or €120M targets, according to the latest news.
Liverpool are in the midst of an injury crisis, specifically in central midfield which has seen them potentially move for a midfielder before the end of the window.
The club hasn’t dived into transfers and made many mistakes in the market but with injuries to key players and central midfielders, it may be a case of needs must.
For Klopp, he wants a player who can do it all and is proven.
There are two players who have been linked with Liverpool who both fit the bill.
This is crazy 🤯 pic.twitter.com/RsETMFSYhs
— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 25, 2022
Jurgen Klopp wants a player who can do it all
The requirement for Klopp, according to Paul Joyce, is a player who can play both as a number six and a number eight.
One target who has emerged recently who can and has done both is Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong.
Now the Dutchman has been linked with the club by Forbes: “Liverpool have made an offer to FC Barcelona to sign their midfielder Frenkie de Jong.”
The Merseysiders have madee a bid that would initially see them hand over £53M a further £7M in add-ons, reaching a total of around £60M (€71M).
He’s played the lone six role to great effect when he played at Ajax in a similar 4-3-3 formation that Klopp uses.
The midfielder is also great as a marauding number eight who can get forward, score goals and be the creative playmaker.
He would be perfect for this Liverpool side if they wanted to make a big statement, but the reports aren’t from the most credible source so we will have to wait.
Another Liverpool target is Jude Bellingham and the Englishman is certainly capable of producing as a lone six or an adventuring box-to-box midfielder who can really shine on and off the ball.
As his stats show, he can contribute at both ends of the pitch. His pressures and blocks per 90 are in the 73rd and 88th percentiles respectively but he also registers in the 98th percentile for assists and in the 97th for dribbles completed.
He can play both roles but he certainly shines more as a number eight as it allows him to use his whole skillset and his attacking play is ever improving.
Defensively he looks good in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 formation which does also suit him, but he can also play that deeper role if needed, it’s not his main role.
As De Jong has the edge on that front, but they both are better as eight’s, which is exactly where Klopp will play either one if he were to be so lucky to sign either one.
Bellingham seems like the long-term target, whilst De Jong is a very late choice if it is true.