Jurgen Klopp boasts arguably the deepest pool of attacking talent in Europe – but his midfield and backline both require reinforcement
Liverpool's 2-1 victory at Newcastle on Sunday afternoon was as significant as it was dramatic. Despite being a goal and a man down inside half an hour, the Reds managed to defeat one of their main rivals for a top-four finish in this season's Premier League.
The way in which Newcastle wilted in the closing stages also illustrated that Jurgen Klopp's 'mentality monsters' remain capable of striking fear into the hearts of opponents. For all their problems over the past year, the players clearly still have the utmost faith in themselves to turn any game around.
The Reds unwavering self-belief is obviously rooted in the success they have enjoyed under their charismatic and doggedly determined manager – but perhaps also the fact that they now possess more depth up front than arguably any other team in Europe, as both Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez so thrillingly illustrated after coming on as substitutes at St James' Park.
What Liverpool do not have, though, is anything like the same quality, variety and versatility in midfield or defence. Indeed, the game at Newcastle didn't just showcase the team's firepower – it also exposed their fragility.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was the unwitting star of another horror show at right-back, while Virgil van Dijk let himself and his team-mates down by getting himself sent off with a needlessly aggressive challenge on Alexander Isak just 28 minutes in, meaning the captain will now be suspended for Sunday's tricky clash with in-form Aston Villa.
Given there is no guarantee that Ibrahima Konate will have recovered from the muscular problem that ruled him out of the trip to Tyneside, Liverpool's need for a centre-back – preferably one that can serve as Van Dijk's understudy on the left-hand side of the defence – is painfully clear.
Furthermore, while Wataru Endo has made an encouraging start to his Anfield career, an improvement is required and it is impossible to shake the feeling that Klopp needs a long-term solution to his defensive midfield problem, the kind of 'project signing' that Romeo Lavia was meant to be.
As Jamie Carragher said on , "The squad that Liverpool have right now isn't good enough to challenge Manchester City, so they've got to go for it in the transfer market this week in terms of bringing in another defender and midfielder. That has to happen because Liverpool can still be the biggest rivals to Manchester City."
But at this late stage, with the window set to close on Friday, who could Liverpool actually sign? Below, GOAL runs through the best centre-backs and midfielders available, some of whom would cost far more than others…
(C)GettyImagesSofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina)
There was talk in Italy last week that Fiorentina had given Morocco international Sofyan Amrabat a deadline of Friday to secure a move away from the Artemio Franchi. However, coach Vincenzo Italiano has since admitted that Amrabat's situation could yet change before the close of the transfer window.
Manchester United are still struggling to raise the money required to sign the 27-year-old, who should be available for around £30 million ($38m), meaning Amrabat is there for the taking if Liverpool want a No.6 who proved he can excel at the very highest level during the 2022 World Cup.
AdvertisementGettyRyan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich)
Another midfielder being linked with both Liverpool and Manchester United, it would be a massive surprise if Ryan Gravenberch is still at the Allianz Arena when the window slams shut. Thomas Tuchel, just like Julian Nagelsmann before him, has been unable to find any room for the Dutchman in his starting line-up, not least because he believes Gravenberch is more of a No.8 than a No.6.
So, if Liverpool were to sign the 21-year-old, it would probably be to fill the 'multi-functional' midfield role they are supposedly now more interested in filling. Indeed, the classy and elegant Gravenberch would be more suited to playing alongside Endo than instead of him, a belated replacement for Gini Wijnaldum if you will.
GettyAndre (Fluminense)
Liverpool's interest in Andre is real but the Reds have, thus far at least, proven unwilling to pay the £35m ($44m) buy-out clause in his Fluminense contract. They have attempted to negotiate a smaller fee, but the Brazilian outfit have absolutely no intention of letting a player that is utterly fundamental to Fernando Diniz's team leave for a knockdown fee midway through the Serie A season.
Andre, then, is expected to stay at Fluminense until the end of the year, but it would not be a surprise to see him move to Europe – if not Anfield – in January, given this is an industrious playmaker that is expected to become a key part of Diniz's Brazil in the coming months.
GettyCheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace)
Mali international Cheick Doucoure enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League – only Declan Rice made more interceptions in 2022-23 – and would certainly fulfil Liverpool's desire to have a strong, physical presence in the middle of the park.
The problem here, though, is both the timing and the transfer fee. Crystal Palace paid £20m for Doucoure just over a year ago and wouldn't even entertain the idea of letting him leave this close to deadline day for anything less than three times that figure.
Still, we know from Liverpool's bid for former Brighton star Moises Caicedo that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are willing to make serious money available to strengthen Klopp's squad…