Why Liverpool could turn to “monstrous” midfielder

The narrative at Liverpool across the course of the summer has shifted from one of optimism to trepidation. The Liverpool persuasion believe their outfit lack the parts to win the lot.

Earlier in August, The Athletic conducted a survey concerning fan opinion on their respective sides’ forthcoming campaigns in the Premier League. Liverpool were bottom, with a 58% optimism rating.

Now that Bradley Barcola is on the cusp of joining Andoni Iraola‘s side for £120m, that might enjoy a little uplift. But Liverpool are still short, out wide and in the middle.

Liverpool need a midfielder, and no mistake, but they need the right midfielder. They need someone unique; someone, perhaps, in the vein of Gini Wijnaldum.

Why this Liverpool team needs a Wijnaldum

Wijnaldum was one-of-a-kind. In some ways, the Dutchman’s skillset was very much its own. He was the glue that held Jurgen Klopp’s midfield together during those early days. Back then, Liverpool struck fear into the hearts of their opponents, that iconic frontline wreaking havoc.

But there’s a reason Liverpool employed such a workmanlike midfield. It allowed those forwards to shine. With Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz both flattering to deceive a year on from moves which combined to mark a £240m dent in Liverpool’s transfer kitty, there’s no question that something needs to change.

The attackers need to sharpen up, but walk down Anfield Road on a matchday and ask supporters to identify the crux of Liverpool’s frustrations, and many would comment on the flagging midfield.

Liverpool lack control and they lack physicality. Wijnaldum would fix that, his passing so crisp you could sell it in a packet of Walker’s; his combative protection of his backline a thing to behold. He would anticipate his opponents and time his interceptions to perfection. It was an essential factor behind Klopp’s success.

Liverpool need someone in the middle of the park who is willing to do the dirty work. Currently, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are the main men, and both are ball-carrying specialists.

REUTERS/Lee Smith

With Alexis Mac Allister flattering to deceive, something needs to be done, else Liverpool will once again struggle through a campaign that initially promised so much.

How Liverpool can sign their new Wijnaldum

Liverpool are interested in signing Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara at this late stage of the transfer window, but Chelsea’s interest is more advanced.

No matter. The Merseysiders could strike an even better deal in the form of Roma’s Manu Kone, with reports in France revealing the France midfielder is actually Liverpool’s priority target, though Roma do not want to sell.

Kone, 25, has attracted plenty of attention this summer, with his performances at the World Cup intensifying such interest. However, Manchester United have gone down a different track, leaving Liverpool with a free shot at completing a deal for a reported £50m fee.

With Monaco midfielder Camara seemingly edging toward Stamford Bridge, Liverpool would be wise to accelerate their plans for a new midfielder and sign Kone, who excelled in Serie A last term.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach star has since gone on to become a mainstay in Rome. He is a press-resistant and combative player whose strengths can be found across a range of different areas of the midfield game.

His awareness and crisp passing mark him as the perfect addition for Iraola’s side, a Wijnaldum-like piece who could propel Liverpool back into the limelight after some time away.

Like Gini, he knows how to dribble the ball forward, into space, into danger. He is also as athletic as they come and difficult to dispossess.

A “monstrous” midfielder with a complete skillset, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Kone is perfect for this Liverpool team, and if he arrives, he could be the connective tissue that has been missing from the wider system, doing the oft-unpraised work that secured for Wijnaldum iconic status on Merseyside.

“France’s best midfielder at this World Cup“, according to pundit Rio Ferdinand this summer, FSG could do a lot worse, with the physical force capable of mopping up and battering opponents down with crunching, well-timed challenges.

Kone, for sure, is worth paying for, but time is running out for Liverpool to get some late business over the line.