With Darwin Núñez and Fábio Carvalho signed and an agreement for Calvin Ramsay approaching, discussions about the need to strengthen Liverpool’s midfield have once again stood out.
The idea that this part of Jürgen Klopp’s team requires work is a long-standing one, and has been raised even before the last very successful seasons.
Consequently, it is not surprising that there are some fans who believe that the fights are waiting if a midfield that came remarkably close to the quadruple last term is not cool this summer.
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To be fair, Liverpool recruitment staff also see this as an area that requires attention, and will be the subject of their next major transfer after Ramsay’s signature is achieved.
Unfortunately for those who want to see new faces, however, it is understood that no movement on this front is likely to take place before the summer of 2023.
Interest in Jude Bellingham is often credited as the reason for this, and it’s no secret that the Reds are keeping a close eye on the young Englishman.
An outstanding player in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League at just 18, he is clearly destined for great things.
However, Liverpool are well aware that these qualities mean that all the other big clubs in Europe will be interested in a move next summer, when Borussia Dortmund will be more susceptible to a sale.
Therefore, the desire to put all his eggs in this particular basket is not behind the perceived delay in his review of Klopp’s engine room.
Rather, it is more than 2023 is when they expect a gap to open in what is currently a crowded midfield staff due to several other factors.
For starters, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be preparing for a free transfer exit in the unlikely event that he doesn’t get a move this summer, while James Milner will have reached the end of the one-year deal he recently signed.
Nor is it entirely exclusive that Naby Keita joins them, depending on the success of the talks in new terms.
Meanwhile, Thiago Alcântara and Jordan Henderson will be one year closer to the veteran stage of their trophy-laden careers, paving the way for less involvement.
And at this point, it will also be clearer what role young Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones are able to play in the long run after a great season for both of them.
Therefore, more than anything else, Liverpool would be willing to wait another year before heading into their ideal midfield candidate, unless an unexpected opportunity arises.
But while the merits of this approach can only really be judged by what happens between August and May, it is unlikely to be a popular decision in the short term.
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