DBasia.news – Three winless games at the start of the 2021-2022 Premier League season have opened the eyes of Liverpool’s management. Even though Liverpool immediately won 9-0 over Bournemouth in the fourth week of the Premier League, Liverpool then returned to being active in the 2022 summer transfer market.
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has confirmed that his club are active again in search of a new midfielder after Thiago Alcantara was injured. So far Liverpool have signed three players, namely Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez and Calvin Ramsay.
“You are fine and I was wrong. That changes of course. I know we have had this discussion since it all started and it was I who said we don’t need a midfielder and you are fine and I was wrong,” Klopp said.
“That’s the situation. There’s really nothing more to say about that. We’re looking for him, and if it’s the right player, we need him and if it’s not the right player, we don’t need him.”
Judging from various sources, here is a list of midfielders that Liverpool can sign along with brief statistics about them:
1. Frenkie de Jong
Manchester United and Chelsea are involved in a protracted transfer saga for the Barcelona midfielder. Frenkie de Jong has stayed so far, but Barcelona still owe him and will even cut his salary if he stays.
Man United wanted him the most as he was prioritized by Erik ten Hag, but reportedly football in the Champions League was the reason (Man United didn’t play there this season).
If this is true, then De Jong has a great chance to join Liverpool and he has a typical playing style like Thiago, as a rhythm regulator in midfield. His official price is at 72 million pounds.
Number of appearances in Liga 2021-2022: 32 times
Operant accuracy: 91%
Average dribbling success: 85%
Total duels won for the ball: 63%
Goals: 3
Assists: 3
2. Nicolo Barella
Liverpool have a legend named Steven Gerrard. And they could have the Italian Steven Gerrard if they recruited Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella. The former Cagliari player has everything he can to succeed in England.
Barella is a box to box midfielder who can penetrate into the opponent’s penalty box, help the team in the defensive phase, and bring creativity, that can be seen from his 12 assists last season. However, it is not easy for Liverpool to sign him as Inter will not sell him.
Number of appearances in Liga 2021-2022: 36 times
Operant accuracy: 85%
Average dribbling success: 58%
Total duels won for the ball: 55%
Goals: 3
Assists: 12
3. Moises Caicedo
A realistic option in the summer of 2022. Moises Caicedo is not an attacking midfielder, but he is ideal for Jurgen Klopp’s playing style of high pressing and transitioning play.
So far in the 2022-2023 season Caicedo has won 5.3 duels on average per 90 minutes (57%). With Caicedo, a duet with Fabinho, the Liverpool midfield will be a challenge for opponents to pass.
Number of appearances in Liga 2021-2022: 8 times
Operant accuracy: 82%
Average dribbling success: 70%
Total duels won for the ball: 58%
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
4. Marcelo Brozovic
If Liverpool have difficulty recruiting Barella then his teammate, Marcelo Brozovic could be an option. The 29-year-old midfielder has been with Inter since 2015 and is the club’s mainstay anchor midfielder.
If Fabinho is a defensive midfielder who can cover the back line and damage the opponent’s playing rhythm, then Brozovic has that plus a vision to play in making transitions to play. Liverpool have reportedly been interested in signing the Croatian midfielder.
Number of appearances in Liga 2021-2022: 35 times
Operant accuracy: 93%
Average dribbling success: 76%
Total duels won for the ball: 54%
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
5. Jude Bellingham
Don’t ever say no while the transfer market is still open, especially if you’re in a hurry. A transfer of Jude Bellingham’s caliber has little chance of happening in the remaining time of the 2022 summer transfer window, it would most likely happen.
If Liverpool are determined to spend big money for the young English player, then Borussia Dortmund will not have much choice even though they have released Erling Haaland. Moreover, Liverpool have been targeting him for some time.
Number of appearances in Liga 2021-2022: 32 times
Operant accuracy: 84%
Average dribbling success: 57%
Total duels won for the ball: 51%
Goals: 3
Assists: 8