Liverpool will likely look for new midfielders in the summer and their perfect option is just begging to be signed up.
Liverpool believed Arne Slot needed one signing for his new squad back in the summer. They wanted to give him a new midfielder – someone who could sit deep and progress the ball
Someone who could pick up the tackles and interceptions while also being an elite in-possession player. And they decided Martin Zubimendi was that player
They were right, too. Zubimendi fit the bill to perfection and it’s why Liverpool went all-out to sign him up
Only, the Spaniard rejected Liverpool right at the death. The Reds then decided not to pursue anyone else, instead believing Ryan Gravenberch was their next-best option
Liverpool nailed that decision as well, to be fair. Gravenberch has been a revelation but it still means the squad is one midfielder short
It’s also put an incredible amount of pressure on Gravenberch to remain fit and play every week. We imagine Liverpool will try to ease that pressure next season.
Which is why it’s notable that a perfect addition to the squad is practically begging to be signed
The Adam Wharton show
Liverpool looked at signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton last summer. Ultimately, they decided not to make a move.
The Daily Mail suggests their tentative interest grew into something more solid ahead of this season, though. It’s easy to see why.
Palace smashed Aston Villa 4-1 on Tuesday evening, with Wharton in a starring role. The player delivered just about everything you want to see from an all-action midfielder
Importantly, it was exactly what Liverpool want to see. Wharton won possession seven times across the fixture and moved the ball into the final third on eight occasions.
These two figures are essentially what Liverpool are after. Someone who can sit deep, win the ball back and find ways to break the lines.
It’s been Gravenberch’s game this season. Here’s Wharton doing it.
READ MORE: How to get Carabao Cup final tickets
Importantly, Wharton ticks two other boxes for Liverpool. Firstly, he’s still only 21 – he’s a player who will develop substantially over the next few years.
And he’s also homegrown. That’s something Liverpool must consider strongly this summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez and Caoimhin Kelleher all linked with exits.
Performances like this will alert all sorts of clubs but Liverpool may want to push themselves to the front of the queue. Wharton can deliver what they need
For instance, the youngster passes into the final third 16 times per 90 minutes this season (per Football Critic). Gravenberch does similar (15 times), albeit from a slightly deeper position and with less space between the lines.
Read More: Liverpool to unveil NEXT Declan Rice after Richard Hughes struck genius deal
But the point here is that Wharton has the tools to be what Liverpool need. And with him being so young and homegrown, it’s easy to feel that he might be perfect.
Football Transfers, though, makes clear that Wharton’s value is rapidly rising. This is the summer to make a move happen – before this becomes a much bigger deal than it has to be.