With Liverpool looking to strengthen in both midfield and defence this summer, former target Raphael Guerreiro could tick those boxes
With Liverpool’s most underwhelming and disappointing 2022/23 campaign finally over, Kopites’ attentions will inevitably now turn to the summer transfer window as Jurgen Klopp looks to get his side back on top.
Fabio Carvalho is likely to already take the number of outgoing players to six, with more expected to follow. In turn, a number of new arrivals are also expected as the Reds address their ageing squad after a transitional campaign which saw them miss out on Champions League qualification.
Having spent the past 18 months revamping their attack, bringing in Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez,and Cody Gakpo, a midfield overhaul is next on the list for club bosses. In truth, talk of much-needed surgery on Liverpool’s engine-room has ultimately dominated their flailing campaign.
After withdrawing from the race to sign long-standing target Jude Bellingham, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister has seemingly emerged as the Reds’ new priority. There is also interest in Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, yet reports suggest the former favours a switch to Manchester United, while the latter is said to be not for sale.
Regardless of the success of Liverpool’s pursuits of the aforementioned trio, it’s clear they are in need of multiple new midfielders. But that won’t be the limit of their recruitment.
Speaking earlier this month, Klopp admitted the only position the Reds aren’t looking to strengthen is their goalkeeping department when he was asked about the possibility of signing a new centre-back.
“We look in all departments apart from goalkeeper at the moment,” said the German. “Yes, if there is a good one (centre-back) out there, I would not deny it. That’s all. We look at all areas of the pitch, definitely.”
With the likes of Nat Phillips and Joel Matip linked with Anfield exits, and Joe Gomez continuing to not cover himself in glory when turned to, such an admission regarding a potential new centre-back is not a surprise. But it is intriguing to see what else it could open the door to.
Considering Roberto Firmino is calling time on his Liverpool career, departing on a free transfer at the end of his contract after scoring in his final two appearances against Aston Villa and Southampton, it would seem the possibility of bringing in a new forward to replace the Brazilian, despite the quality of the Reds’ remaining senior options, has not been entirely ruled out.
Yet Klopp’s admission could result in changes at full-back also. Given the position has been one of strength, and crucial to Liverpool’s identity for so many seasons, it is certainly a change of pace compared to previous years. Yet the club’s senior options on both flanks are perhaps facing scrutiny over their futures for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, Trent Alexander-Arnold. He’s not going anywhere, but there is a possibility that his future perhaps no longer lies at right-back. The England international has thrived as an ‘inverted full-back’ over the past two months to completely turn around his fortunes in what had been a poor individual season.
“Good question!” he said, when asked by the Athletic if he now considers himself a midfielder. “I’m both. With the ball, I see myself as a midfielder. Without the ball, I see myself as a right-back.”
With the change of role seeing him move central into midfield when the Reds are on the ball, he returned a goal and seven assists as Liverpool finished the season with an impressive 11-game unbeaten run. As a result, Klopp has hinted that summer transfer business could dictate when the 24-year-old lines up next season, while England boss Gareth Southgate has also confirmed he considers Alexander-Arnold a midfield option for the Three Lions.
“If it is long term we will see it just depends on the new players that we bring in,” Klopp told Sky Sports after Liverpool’s win over Brentford earlier this month.
As a result, it remains to be seen if Alexander-Arnold will remain an inverted full-back, return to his more traditional right-back duties, or make a full switch to midfield next season. In truth, such a decision lies hand–in-hand with the success of the Reds’ revamp of their engine-room, along with whether any suitable right-backs became available.
Regardless of the success of Liverpool’s pursuits of the aforementioned trio, it’s clear they are in need of multiple new midfielders. But that won’t be the limit of their recruitment.
Speaking earlier this month, Klopp admitted the only position the Reds aren’t looking to strengthen is their goalkeeping department when he was asked about the possibility of signing a new centre-back.
“We look in all departments apart from goalkeeper at the moment,” said the German. “Yes, if there is a good one (centre-back) out there, I would not deny it. That’s all. We look at all areas of the pitch, definitely.”
With the likes of Nat Phillips and Joel Matip linked with Anfield exits, and Joe Gomez continuing to not cover himself in glory when turned to, such an admission regarding a potential new centre-back is not a surprise. But it is intriguing to see what else it could open the door to.
Considering Roberto Firmino is calling time on his Liverpool career, departing on a free transfer at the end of his contract after scoring in his final two appearances against Aston Villa and Southampton, it would seem the possibility of bringing in a new forward to replace the Brazilian, despite the quality of the Reds’ remaining senior options, has not been entirely ruled out.
Yet Klopp’s admission could result in changes at full-back also. Given the position has been one of strength, and crucial to Liverpool’s identity for so many seasons, it is certainly a change of pace compared to previous years. Yet the club’s senior options on both flanks are perhaps facing scrutiny over their futures for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, Trent Alexander-Arnold. He’s not going anywhere, but there is a possibility that his future perhaps no longer lies at right-back. The England international has thrived as an ‘inverted full-back’ over the past two months to completely turn around his fortunes in what had been a poor individual season.
“Good question!” he said, when asked by the Athletic if he now considers himself a midfielder. “I’m both. With the ball, I see myself as a midfielder. Without the ball, I see myself as a right-back.”
With the change of role seeing him move central into midfield when the Reds are on the ball, he returned a goal and seven assists as Liverpool finished the season with an impressive 11-game unbeaten run. As a result, Klopp has hinted that summer transfer business could dictate when the 24-year-old lines up next season, while England boss Gareth Southgate has also confirmed he considers Alexander-Arnold a midfield option for the Three Lions.
“If it is long term we will see it just depends on the new players that we bring in,” Klopp told Sky Sports after Liverpool’s win over Brentford earlier this month.
As a result, it remains to be seen if Alexander-Arnold will remain an inverted full-back, return to his more traditional right-back duties, or make a full switch to midfield next season. In truth, such a decision lies hand–in-hand with the success of the Reds’ revamp of their engine-room, along with whether any suitable right-backs became available.
Yet Milner became the club’s greatest-ever free transfer when he joined as a 29-year-old in the summer of 2015. Considering the Portuguese’s own versatility, age and lack of transfer fee is not the only comparison one can make between the pair.
And with Liverpool also having to spin multiple plates as they look to strengthen their squad in numerous positions, the opportunity to sign a quality player who would tick a number boxes on a free transfer certainly is not one to be sniffed at.
