Liverpool appears to be foregoing midfield reinforcements this summer, but which players have moved in the last year who could have aided Jürgen Klopp?
Liverpool’s midfield has been in desperate need of an overhaul for some time. This summer, the Reds attempted to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni, but the Frenchman ended up joining Real Madrid.
Instead of finding a replacement, it appears that the Anfield club will wait until next year to upgrade the middle of the park. The suggestion has been made that there are few available players capable of improving Jürgen Klopp’s midfield, though the Reds manager did soften his stance ahead of Bournemouth.
With that in mind, here are some midfielders who have switched clubs in the last 12 months. Which players, if Liverpool had been interested, could have made a significant difference on Merseyside?
Liverpool’s midfield has been in desperate need of an overhaul for some time. This summer, the Reds attempted to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni, but the Frenchman ended up joining Real Madrid.
Instead of finding a replacement, it appears that the Anfield club will wait until next year to upgrade the middle of the park. The suggestion has been made that there are few available players capable of improving Jürgen Klopp’s midfield, though the Reds manager did soften his stance ahead of Bournemouth.
With that in mind, here are some midfielders who have switched clubs in the last 12 months. Which players, if Liverpool had been interested, could have made a significant difference on Merseyside?
The Reds have recently developed a preference for signing players from the Portuguese Primeira Liga, having signed Luis Daz and Darwin Nez in the last six months, so it is puzzling that no attempt was made to sign Vitinha this summer.
The 22-year-old Portuguese international recently joined Paris Saint-Germain for around £40 million. He has a small frame and stands around five feet eight inches tall, but he is highly technical and appears to have a high ceiling, with the Reds rumored to be tracking his services prior to his transfer to France.
According to StatsBomb’s similar player’s algorithm, Vitinha was the most statistically comparable player in Europe to Thiago Alcântara last season, which goes some way towards explaining why Liverpool should have contested for his signature.
Bruno Guimarães (From Lyon to Newcastle United)
A player who moved to England in January and has made quite the impact is Bruno Guimarães, who was the first statement signing made by the new owners of Newcastle United.
Like Vitinha, the Brazilian was also signed for around £40m, which seems to be the going rate for elite talents in the middle of the field at present. Since linking up with the Magpies, Guimarães has established himself as a top performer.
He is a good age at 24 years old, and he possesses a well-rounded skill set, doing a lot for his teammates in and out of possession while also nicking the odd goal, scoring five times from 1,034 minutes on the pitch last season.
Guimarães can play as a No.6 and as a No.8 — which is what Klopp wants from his next addition — and he looks destined to become one of the best in the Premier League in the coming years. It is reasonable to suggest he would have been great for the Reds.
Matheus Nunes (From Sporting CP to Wolves)
One of the most recent movers is Matheus Nunes, who made the surprise switch from Sporting CP to Wolves last week after being linked with Liverpool throughout the summer.
He turned 24 years old this weekend, and will now compete against the Reds in England’s top flight. Nunes stands over six feet tall, he’s an expert dribbler in the center, and he will likely have a dramatic impact at Molineux after his £38m move.
The Brazilian-born midfielder has been described as ‘one of the best players in the world by none other than Pep Guardiola over the past year, but the Reds opted against acquiring his signature.
Rodrigo Bentancur (From Juventus to Tottenham)
Another winter transfer that Liverpool could have explored happened in London, as Rodrigo Bentancur left Juventus to join Tottenham Hotspur. His signature was purchased for around £20m, which seemed reasonable for a player of his quality.
The Uruguayan international is still only 25 years old and has Champions League experience under his belt. Moreover, he proved to be capable of establishing control in the center during his time in Serie A, regaining possession frequently and keeping the ball for Juventus.
He will be a useful addition for Antonio Conte to use moving forward. Liverpool is in need of a ball-winner who also has the skills to play progress the ball through the thirds of the pitch, but they seem willing to stick with what they have for now.
