Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp should have no issues securing an important deal that will ensure they can attack the right areas in the coming transfer windows, per a report.
The scale of Liverpool’s spending in future windows will be determined by whether new owners are at the helm. FSG has put the club up for sale, though maintain they’ll continue to back the Reds if a suitable buyer doesn’t come forth.
In either scenario, Liverpool’s midfield is arguably the most important area that needs addressing.
Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract next summer. Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson are well into their 30s, while Arthur Melo only arrived on loan from Juventus.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham remains the club’s primary target in central areas. The 19-year-old is already valued above the £100m mark and that figure could swell even further with a strong showing in Qatar.
Even in the event of a takeover, Liverpool cannot afford to waste their resources under the restrictions of Financial Fair Play. As such, they can ill afford to invest in recruits in other positions that would limit their spending on the midfield.
One such position that could come under the microscope is center-forward.
Striker exit would require new investment
Darwin Nunez arrived from Benfica and put on his best display against Southampton to date.
However, following the exit of Divock Origi, his only like-for-like backup centrally is Roberto Firmino. Diogo Jota can deputize in the position, though that would then leave depth out wide threadbare.
Firmino, 31, is out of contract at the season’s end. He remains a vital part of Liverpool’s squad and a popular figure among the fans and players alike.
However, given his advancing age, Liverpool would be unlikely to recoup a sizeable fee if he were sold in January. Even worse for the club’s finances would be seeing the Brazilian walk away for free next summer.
In either of those scenarios, Liverpool would need to sign a new striker to ensure Klopp doesn’t lack for firepower. Doing so would detract from their more important midfield chases.
However, thankfully for Reds fans, Firmino doesn’t sound like he’ll be leaving Liverpool in 2023.
Firmino’s extension is “progressing well”
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg tweeted talks over a Firmino contract extension are “progressing very well”.
While the trusted reporter acknowledged a deal is not near its “final stage”, he did add the player himself is on board with extending his stay.
Furthermore, Plettenberg concluded Firmino’s strong relationship with Klopp provides the perfect backdrop for fresh terms to be signed.
Klopp has always hailed Firmino at every opportunity and he was integral in the club’s famous front three that ended their Premier League drought.
The German previously suggested future football aficionados will “write books” about the way Firmino revolutionized the false nine position during his time on Merseyside.
Thankfully for those of a Liverpool persuasion, it sounds like his stint won’t end any time soon.
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