
One reported Liverpool transfer target is said to be matching the levels of hype generated by Gareth Bale, and it could
prompt the Reds to break with convention.
Every transfer involves some degree of risk. Take Liverpool’s $68m (£53m/€62m) deal for Naby Keïta, for instance. Few
Reds signings have arrived with higher expectations, with Keïta tipped to dominate Premier League midfields for years after
emerging as one of the best players in the Bundesliga.
Ultimately, though, a quite remarkable succession of injuries would spoil the Guinean’s Anfield career, and he would slip out
the door as a free agent at the end of his initial five-year contract. He has returned to Germany with mid-table outfit Werder
Bremen — where injury woes have already struck.
Still, there aren’t many major Jürgen Klopp deals you can look at and call a truly significant gamble.
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Not everybody was convinced about Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, given that the former had been inconsistent at
Southampton and the latter had notoriously struggled at Chelsea. But Mané had already demonstrated an elite-level ceiling
that Klopp was always likely to unlock, while Salah had rebuilt his reputation with starring campaigns at Fiorentina and
Roma in Italy.
Georginio Wijnaldum technically arrived from a relegated Newcastle United but he’d shown in the Eredivisie with
Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven, and indeed during his single season on Tyneside, that he was a Champions League rather
than Championship footballer. Andy Robertson also came from the second tier but joined for a minimal $10m (£8m/€9.4m)
fee.
Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai are the most expensive goalkeeper, defender and midfielder in Liverpool’s
history, but the first two were ranked among the very best in their position even before they made the move, and the third is
on the road to the same status at 22.
Darwin Núñez is the Reds’ biggest attacking signing ever. Though it was a bold call to shell out up to $110m (£85m/€99m)
on a player with one truly prolific season for a top-flight European club behind him, he’s expected to explode in his second
year just like he did in Portugal, justifying the investment after a mixed start.
Liverpool has occasionally signed players with poor injury records, but the risk of landing Thiago was mitigated by the $32m
(£25m/€29m) fee, and Arthur was effectively seen as the least-worst option in the Deadline Day panic market.
Ultimately, then, the Reds’ proposed deal for Roméo Lavia stands out. Liverpool could part with a fee in the region of $64m
(£50m/€58m) — that’s what Southampton is reportedly demanding, via The Athletic — for a player who’s only featured in
29 Premier League matches. Indeed, the club’s recruitment team have previously established 175 games as a suitable sample
size to judge a player (via Neil Jones/The Anfield Wrap), but Lavia has played just 36 at the senior level.
And crucially, it look as if he’ll be installed almost immediately as Liverpool’s starting number six. The original plan may
have been for Lavia to be a long-term successor, and short-term competitor, to Fabinho, but now there’s a very real chance
that a 19-year-old becomes the primary defensive midfielder for Liverpool after just one season at a relegated club.
Klopp, though, won’t see it that way, focusing instead on the player’s evident potential.
“I’ve spoken to a few Southampton supporters and people at the club,” journalist Jacob Tanswell told The Redmen TV, “and
they haven’t seen a player like him since Gareth Bale at the club when he broke through.”
Liverpool believes the investment, however sizeable, will more than pay off, because it has found a wonderkid destined to
reach world-class heights. If it didn’t, it wouldn’t be about to return with a second, improved offer for the young Belgian.
Indeed, after graduating from the Southampton academy, Bale went on to win two PFA Player of the Year awards at Spurs
and five Champions Leagues at Real Madrid. Perhaps Liverpool is getting in somewhere close to the ground floor.
All of this leaves supporters with a choice. They can be anxious about the proposed transfer, for the reasons stated above, or
they can instead embrace the excitement of Liverpool breaking from its rigid transfer policy. After all, it has clearly found a
player so special that he demands exceptional treatment.
READ MORE:
THE UNSWERVING TENACITY OF THIAGO ALCANTARA AMIDST LIVERPOOL’S MIDFIELD EXODUS
In the world of football, no season comes without its fair share of change. Liverpool FC, the distinguished titans of the
English Premier League, is not exempted from this narrative. Following a surprising series of midfield departures, the focus
now settles on the unflinching figure of Thiago Alcantara.
ALCANTARA: A PILLAR AMIDST THE WHIRLWIND OF DEPARTURES
It seems a tempest has swirled through the Liverpool ranks this summer, as several midfield maestros have made their exits.
The confirmation of Jordan Henderson’s departure, coupled with Fabinho’s anticipated exit, has considerably weakened the
Reds’ core. This situation, further amplified by James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Arthur Melo
taking their skills to new pastures, results in a total of six departures in one season alone. This sheer number represents a
staggering reshuffling of Liverpool’s midfield.Yet, amidst this turbulent turnover, one figure, Thiago Alcantara, remains
unflinching and resolute.
THE ASSURANCE FROM ANFIELD
Contrary to rumours and speculation, Thiago is expected to remain a stalwart at Anfield. According to renowned sports
journalist David Ornstein, speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE YouTube channel, the Spanish maestro is expected to stay with
the Merseyside outfit. Ornstein stated:“Maybe some thought it would have been Thiago Alcantara, but he is expected to stay
at the club.”
Over the summer, reports of Thiago potentially venturing to Spain, Saudi Arabia or Turkey had been floating around.
However, as it now appears, the midfield maestro will honour the last year of his Liverpool contract, contributing his
exquisite talents to Liverpool’s bid for another successful season.
LIVERPOOL’S MIDFIELD REINFORCEMENTS
While Thiago’s steadfastness brings reassurance, Liverpool remain focused on bolstering its midfield. The club has made
some laudable steps in this direction by securing the signatures of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Further,
Liverpool are reportedly in talks with Southampton over the potential acquisition of Romeo Lavia.
As the transfer window gradually winds to a close, Liverpool FC are expected to make additional strategic moves. With
Thiago staying put, there’s an experienced pillar around which to mould the Reds’ new-look midfield.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
While there are inherent challenges in losing six experienced midfielders in a single summer, there is also opportunity. The
chance to rebuild and restructure, to mould new players into the high-tempo, aggressive style that Liverpool has become
synonymous with under the watchful eye of Jurgen Klopp.
For Thiago, this is an opportunity to cement his status as a vital piece in the Liverpool machinery. As a masterful midfielder,
Thiago is expected to rise to the occasion, filling in the void left by the departure of key players while also serving as a
mentor to the new recruits.
The Merseyside outfit, armed with their unwavering midfield maestro, are expected to weather the storm. Despite the
significant changes, the belief remains strong – the Reds are ready to face another football season head-on.
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