With the January transfer window well underway, Steve McManaman has shared his verdict on several of the star names that Liverpool have been linked with in recent weeks.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s absence during the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the continued debate since Gini Wijnaldum’s exit last summer, has fuelled speculation that Jurgen Klopp could look to target both a midfielder and wide forward in the near future.
And McManaman has had his say on four of the most common names that have been cropping up on the Liverpool rumour mill.
Two players that have been mooted as possible wide options for Liverpool are Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who are both enjoying successful seasons so far.
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Speaking about England international Saka, McManaman wrote in his column for Horseracing.net : “Would I love Liverpool to get him? Definitely.
“A bit different to Mo Salah, who likes to cut inside, Saka is more of a winger but a winger that likes to chip in with goals and Liverpool do need a winger like him.
“However, there’s no way on earth that Arsenal will let him go unless it’s a case of his contract running out.
“He’s such a young lad but still a leading figure in that Arsenal side and he’s improving every single year, so there would be riots if Arsenal let him join Liverpool.”
Similarly Bowen has been an integral part of West Ham’s ascent up the Premier League table, with the reported Liverpool target having scored six goals and assisted nine this term.
Now considered a vital player for the Hammers, alongside Declan Rice, Bowen has developed at a steady rate since his £20m move from Hull City in 2019.
“West Ham would be mad to get rid of him because they’re starting to build something themselves and he’s probably now worth double or maybe triple what they paid for him,” the ex-Red said.
“Declan Rice may be considered the superstar at West Ham but I’d be very surprised if they let Jarrod Bowen go.
Jarrod’s playing great, he’s scoring plenty of goals and he’s adored there. As we’ve seen on numerous occasions, the grass isn’t always greener.
“However, sooner rather than later, Liverpool will have to start looking to the future. Sadio Mané’s 29, Mohamed Salah’s 29, Roberto Firmino’s 30, so there will need to be a period of rejuvenation, replenishing and a turning over of this current squad.”
In midfield, Jude Bellingham has been touted as a long-term option for Liverpool, while the Reds were linked with Youri Tieelemans last year, following his contract issues with Leicester.
Though McManaman is unsure whether Bellingham and Haaland will both leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, he believes a move to the Premier League would greatly accelerate Bellingham’s development.
“Borussia Dortmund are doing well but Liverpool is a step up and I think he would improve because of the calibre of the players there,” the 49-year-old said.
“From what I read about him, his personality and the way he trains, all sounds positive. It would be great if Liverpool did get him.
“He would definitely suit Liverpool and Liverpool would definitely need him because when you’re signing youngsters, it’s with the view to keeping them for the next six, seven or eight years. Jude certainly fits that category.”
Another option could be Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, who admitted he was “open to everything” in September amid a delay over agreeing a new contract - and McManaman has argued that the Belgian’s “head could be swayed” with Leicester sitting in mid-table.
“Whether he’ll go to Liverpool is another question and it will be interesting to see what Liverpool do, as Jurgen Klopp may want to refresh his midfield,” the ex-England international continued.
“Tielemans may be beginning to start wondering what’s out there as he’s not a Leicester boy born and bred. He will cost a lot of money, that’s the only thing.
“Liverpool’s success at going out and finding lesser known players means that they may not go for somebody who’s on the tip of everybody’s tongue.”
