Five midfielders identified to build next Liverpool…

Five midfielders identified to build next Liverpool team as 'transfer talks' held

Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Tuesday, March 7.

Jurgen Klopp identifies five midfielders he can build next team around

Liverpool supporters feared the worst while Manchester United fans were rubbing their hands with glee when the Reds’ teamsheet dropped before the two sides’ clash at Anfield on Sunday, writes Theo Squires.

Jurgen Klopp had pulled a surprise by benching Stefan Bajcetic, with captain Jordan Henderson recalled at his expense alongside Fabinho and Harvey Elliott. Given Liverpool’s midfield woes this season, supporters were prepared for another evening spent watching their engine-room get overrun.

After all, Henderson and Fabinho have been nowhere near their best all season long. As a result, fingers of blame have perhaps been pointed in the pair’s direction most as the Reds struggle through a transitional season with an ageing squad.

Meanwhile, there remain doubts regarding whether Elliott even has a long-term future in midfield. While he impressed in a deeper role last season, the 19-year-old’s performances in the engine-room this season have been less convincing.

The fact that there were so many murmurs of discontent regarding the decision to leave out the 18-year-old Bajcetic, who has been a regular since the turn of the year after making the most of an opportunity only awarded because of his fellow midfielders’ own failings, said it all.

While the emergence of the young Spaniard has been a rare positive for Klopp’s side this season, it still does not paint a pretty picture regarding their continued failure to overhaul their midfield. After missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, Liverpool opted to persist with what they had ahead of a planned midfield revamp in 2023.

Seemingly waiting for the right player, namely first-choice target Jude Bellingham, the Reds have regularly been criticised for such a stance with it looking increasingly costly to their aspirations this season.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Liverpool 'held transfer talks' in January over move for defender

Liverpool's rumoured interest in RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol may have been explored with talks in January, according to a new report.

The Croatian centre-back, who put in several solid World Cup performances in Qatar, has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester City as well has the Reds. But an update on the player's situation from journalist Fabrizio Romano (as per football.london) potentially sheds new light on just how interested in landing the 21-year-old Jurgen Klopp really is.

It is claimed that Liverpool approached Leipzig for talks about the availability of Gvardiol in January, but were told that he was not available.

Speaking in his YouTube Daily Briefing, Romano said: "Liverpool approach Leipzig in January to understand the conditions of the deal and it was almost impossible to sign Gvardiol in January. But Liverpool have have an interest in Josko Gvardiol, he is a player they are pursuing, but let me say, Manchester City are absolutely in the race to. Everything is open at this moment."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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