Liverpool are expected to capture Newcastle midfielder Joelinton in a January transfer.

Liverpool is in desperate need of a shake-up in their midfield.

Liverpool is expected to capture Newcastle midfielder Joelinton in a January transfer. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been advised to pursue Newcastle midfielder Joelinton. The Brazilian arrived at St James’ Park as a striker but thrived in a midfield role this season under Eddie Howe.

Following a disappointing defeat at the hands of Brentford on Monday night, Liverpool supporters have continued their plea for the club to dip into the market and recruit central midfielders. Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Wolves playmaker Matheus Nunes have been cited as summer targets, though it does not provide them with much-needed depth for the remainder of the campaign.

“I think if Fabinho doesn’t pick up, they probably need a holding midfielder, and then I think they need an offensive midfielder. I’ve always looked at a player like Joelinton, I think they need a physical presence in midfield.

“I think they’ve got a lot of players in midfield, they’re all quite similar, they can all handle the ball, they’re technically very gifted, but I also think they need a physical presence, especially in the Premier League. If Fabinho is unavailable, I would suggest a defensive midfielder and someone who can score from midfield.”

With James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all in the final year of their Anfield contracts, Klopp will be short of choices in the center of the park next season. With Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, and Fabinho lacking pace and intensity, Jamie Carragher believes that at least three midfielders should arrive in Merseyside this summer.

He told Sky Sports: “Liverpool is going to need to go big in the summer. You look at what Chelsea and Man United spent in the summer, and they’re still not close to winning the title, so it shows you the kind of funds that you need to compete at the top of the league.

“Liverpool year-in year-out have sold someone, bought someone, but I think this is a case of now Liverpool need to spend about £200 million. I’m not saying that in terms of that’s the secret to success – there are lots of teams who have shown that doesn’t necessarily work – but Liverpool needs to sign maybe three midfield players, I would say.”