Following the way Liverpool’s season ended, losing the Premier League title on the final day of the season and also losing the Champions League final to Manchester City, it was always likely that the club and Jürgen Klopp wanted reinforcements. before next season.
As Manchester City’s perennial rivals have already signed Erling Haaland and no doubt to make more additions, the pressure is now on Liverpool to respond by adding one or two canopy players. In addition, the departures of Divock Origi and Sadio Mané make it increasingly likely that the club will bring several new faces.
The Leeds pair, Kalvin Philips and Raphinha, have been linked in recent days with a move to Liverpool, and the £ 60million duo would be very good signings for the club, on multiple fronts.
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Both endured difficult seasons in Leeds as the club generally suffered from second season syndrome after promotion to the league in 2020. Philips struggled with injuries while Raphinha’s form went down, but the Brazilian came out well towards the end of the campaign as Leeds survived the shootout.
But we must not forget how good they were in that first season back in the top flight in 2020/21, and the pair would make a great double signing by Liverpool.
Philips is 26 years old and is at his best and would be a brilliant addition to Liverpool’s midfield. This is an area in which the club has to invest this summer after facing some difficulties during the first part of the 2021/22 season. Liverpool suffered when Fabinho was unavailable, so Philips would make a perfect replacement for Fabinho
Of course, Liverpool will not give massive money to Leeds for Philips just to use it five or six times a year when Fabinho is not there. Philips can also play on the right side of midfield, and would eventually be Jordan Henderson’s long-term successor in Klopp’s 4-3-3.
Raphinha has been linked with Liverpool for most of a year, and it is reported that the Reds could face opposition from Barcelona for their services. However, with the Spanish team in financial difficulties, Liverpool could have a clear career in the Brazilian.
Raphinha’s aspect of the deal is harder to call, as he plays on the right side of the attacking trio, which is apparently Mohamed Salah’s role for Liverpool. Again, Liverpool are unlikely to play a lot of money at Raphinha just to sit on the bench. However, if Salah leaves, which now seems unlikely, Raphinha makes sense.
But there could be a compromise. With Mané likely to leave, Salah could theoretically change Mané’s role to center, leaving the right winger free for Raphinha. The potential of a Luis Díaz-Salah-Raphinha front line has the potential to be devastating, with its combined pace a possible nightmare for defenders.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool can make the double blow. A couple of them would be very expensive, but perhaps the best method would be to include the current Liverpool players in the deal to reduce the cost. Players like Takumi Minamino or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be included in the deal, and it would also help Liverpool make up for some dead wood in the process.
But for Liverpool’s current needs, Philips would be a much more urgent signing than Raphinha.
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