Despite missing out on a deadline day deal for Fulham midfielder Fabio Carvalho, Liverpool have once again shown their willingness to pick up youngsters from the lower English leagues to help bolster their squad. In recent years, current talents among Jurgen Klopp’s ranks, including Joe Gomez and this season’s breakthrough star Harvey Elliott have both been hoisted into the Reds’ first team squad after impressing in the English Football League, having shined for Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
Here are some current EFL stars who could shine at Liverpool.
Fabio Carvalho
Starting with the most likely EFL addition to Liverpool’s squad, Fabio Carvalho came close to signing for the Anfield club in January, but the deal could not be completed before the 11pm deadline. Formerly of the Benfica academy, Carvalho has picked up 13 goal contributions in the Championship this season, as well as averaging one tackle and two key passes per game. At 19, Carvalho has shown significant promise in his short career so far and looks ready to make the step up.
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Djed Spence
Playing primarily as a right wing back for Nottingham Forest this season, Djed Spence attracted media attention following his performances against Arsenal and Leicester City in this season’s FA Cup campaign. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at the City Ground from Middlesbrough and has made 28 league appearances for Forest this season.
Signing Spence would provide a fitting back up for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is currently the only recognised right back in Klopp’s squad. Indeed, with question marks surrounding the future of both Joe Gomez and Neco Williams at Anfield, Spence might be a long-term option to rival Alexander-Arnold.
Ben Brereton-Diaz
At the time of writing, Ben Brereton-Diaz' current contract at Blackburn Rovers is due to expire this summer, with the two parties yet to agree an extension. If the Chile international is to leave on a free transfer, there is bound to be a long queue of teams after his signature. Brereton-Diaz has scored 20 goals in 30 Championship appearances this campaign, averaging one every 125 minutes.
The 22-year-old is also averaging more key passes and dribbles per game than current Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, so the chance to pick up Blackburn’s star man for free may be too good to turn down for Klopp.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Another player who is impressing while on a Championship loan is English midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who has been plying his trade in South Yorkshire, with Sheffield United. Gibbs-White has made sporadic appearances for his parent club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, over the past couple of seasons, but has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Blades, helping to resurrect their season with a playoff push.
At 22 years old, the attacking midfielder has scored eight and assisted seven in the league this season, while playing a leading role in attacking moves for Paul Heckingbottom’s side. His recent performance against Middlesbrough earned him plaudits from supporters, perhaps suggesting he is ready to make the jump to English football’s top tier.
Connor Taylor
One signing that would potentially be one for the future is 20-year-old centre back Connor Taylor. The on-loan Stoke City man has cemented his place in Bristol Rovers’ back line this season, having started 31 times in League 2, as the Gas go in hunt of a playoff position. Taylor is highly rated at the Bet365 Stadium and has been suggested for a Premier League career, so could be one for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to follow closely over the next couple of seasons.
