Jurgen Klopp already has the blueprint for next two midfield signings amid claims of a bid being submitted

Jurgen Klopp has the blueprint for his next two midfield signings amid claims he's already bid £60M for Frenkie de Jong.

While reading on an article from Calum Ritchie on Liverpool's midfield, I was inspired to write an article of my own addressing the need for investment in the middle of the pitch.

Specifically looking at how Jürgen Klopp's side was at its peak in their Premier League winning season in 2019/20 with Jordan Henderson operating at close to his peak while both Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum were at their best in Liverpool shirts.

I'm going to compare this to now when Liverpool's only midfielder that has played at a consistently world-class level in 2022 is Thiago, who is injured again and seems cursed to spend the rest of his playing career hampered by cruel and frustrating muscle injuries.

There has been a clamour online and in the press for FSG to sanction a high-profile midfield signing with many fans happy to settle for a stop-gap solution so that this season isn't wasted.

Jude Bellingham is undoubtedly the no.1 target for Liverpool but due to Borussia Dortmund's refusal to sell, they are forced to consider other options - none of which seem to satisfy the club.

Jurgen Klopp has spoken publicly, hinting at the possibility that he isn't receiving the financial support he needs to make the signing that would help solve many of the issues within the squad.

However, there is also a concerning issue creeping into the starting XI, with bad body language in the opening three games but most particularly in the awful showing at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Liverpool's midfield was at its prime in 2019/20

When Liverpool romped to the Premier League title in 2019/20, picking up a club-record points tally of 99, their midfield was the glue by which the squad was held together.

As an elite squad needs to be, that team was so finely designed that it worked to perfection almost regularly that season, with the Reds blowing the whole division away before the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone indoors.

While some warning signs were presented during Project Restart, Liverpool continued to operate at an incredible rate but it was before the lockdown that Klopp's side was working to its highest level possible.

The 3-1 win over Manchester City that season was the perfect example of how well Klopp had set his midfield up.

It also revealed a potential blueprint for transfer investment over the next 12 months.

Fabinho was immense and imperious, Wijnaldum was composed and dictating the tempo of the game while Jordan Henderson was performing his role perfectly, allowing the side to work as a devastatingly cohesive unit.

And they made City look almost ordinary due to the tempo they played at.

How Jurgen Klopp can use 2019/20 blueprint for future success

Looking at the trio of Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum, they worked so well together because they perfectly complemented each other.

They were also flanked by two of the most creative Premier League players in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

So they weren't bogged down by the responsibility to create but rather provided the work ethic and stability required for Liverpool to bomb forward.

Now, with Robertson battling for form and various issues up front due to injuries and suspension, the attacking flow has been suspended.

However, Jurgen Klopp needs a long-term replacement for Henderson and someone who can replace the qualities that disappeared along with Wijnaldum.

His composure, press resistance and ball recovery have been missed especially as they are provided by Thiago but only when he is able to remain injury free which isn't all that often these days.

De Jong would be ideal and Liverpool are said to have submitted a €71M (£60M) bid to sign the Dutch international.

Jude Bellingham will likely join the club next summer and signing both one year apart could give Klopp the time to overhaul his side.