The talk of the town has been about the Liverpool midfield over the past months and this focus has intensified over recent days.
Poor showings against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Manchester United have exposed a glaring weakness in the squad.
The ability to field a strong enough midfield on a regular basis.
With injuries to Thiago, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Reds have been left with very few options.
While the currently fit players try their best and fight for the club, certain elements are missing.
With Thiago and Keita being missing, Liverpool lack a midfield player with the ability to really control a game from the middle of the park.
🚨 NEW: Liverpool have long-term plans in place and prefer to wait it out for the ideal candidate rather than opt for a short-term fix. #lfc [the athletic]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) August 25, 2022
A change of mind for Jurgen Klopp
Previously, Klopp has been dismissive of an urgent need to sign a midfielder as he claimed: “We can’t solve problems we have for four weeks with a transfer.
“At the moment it makes no sense to us.
“But the transfer window is still open and we will see, but we have no plans“.
Adamant that only the right player who fits the criteria needed would be signed, the manager appears to have had a change of heart.
In his pre-match press conference in the build-up to the Bournemouth game, Klopp admitted: “I was wrong and you were all right” when asked about a potential signing.
He openly told journalists “that has changed” in regards to targeting a player for this transfer window.
Fans took to social media to display their glee at the recent events with some more relieved than anything.
In no time at all, speculation was rife on who exactly the club would be looking at.
Liverpool will now try to sign a new midfielder, Jurgen Klopp announces: “Yes, I am the one who said we don’t need a midfielder – and you were all right and I was wrong. Now we are going for a midfielder”. 🚨🔴 #LFC
“We will do something but it has to be the right one”. pic.twitter.com/dIvMkExdks
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2022
Could a former Manchester United target be headed for Anfield?
Throughout the summer transfer window, heated rivals Manchester United have been linked with a move for Dutch playmaker Frenkie De Jong.
While nothing has materialised to date due to the player’s difficult (to say the least) circumstances with current club Barcelona.
Liverpool Journalist Dave Maddock of the Mirror appeared to then throw the Merseysiders into the conversation.
Writing on Friday night that ‘there have been suggestions of interest’ in the former United target.
We sign De Jong.
Barcelona sign Bernardo Silva.
12D chess from Klopp.
— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) August 26, 2022
While De Jong is a name that will excite Liverpool fans due to his technical ability and his capability of playing as both a holding midfielder and in a more box to box role, it is a difficult one to see.
Famously a club that do not spend over the odds on wages in particular, it is hard to imagine a world where Fenway Sports Group get involved in the sticky situation at the Nou Camp.
Despite these concerns, De Jong is valued at £54 million which is a very reasonable price tag with some of the money being thrown around at the moment.
Do you think Frenkie De Jong is the answer to Liverpool’s midfield woes?
