The long-term successor for Fabinho, who departed Liverpool for Al-Ittihad during the summer transfer window, appears to still be needed by Liverpool.
There was a race to bring someone in whose transfer would not cause a headache after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia’s rejections, which came as a tremendous blow.
Wataru Endo, a Japan international who will turn 31 in February, was recruited from VfB Stuttgart even though he was only intended to occupy the ‘number six’ position temporarily.
While Alexis Mac Allister has been Jurgen Klopp’s favoured starter in holding midfield in recent league games, a position he can play but one that limits his other more attacking talents, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic can also play in the position but neither are ‘destroyers’.
The Reds’ recruiters may be keeping an eye on defensive midfielders while focusing on bolstering the defense and Mohamed Salah’s eventual successor.
Here are five potential prospects Liverpool might take into account as the winter transfer season draws near.
ANDRE TRINDADE (FLUMINENSE)
In both the Copa Libertadores and Brazil’s Serie A, Andre has been a key player for Fluminense. He is physically strong and has the qualities necessary for a contemporary defensive midfielder, despite his little size. He is outstanding at winning one-on-one matches and recovering ball, and he offers the backline strong defense.
Even if Jurgen Klopp is able to improve his distribution skills, Andre’s lack of passing ability compared to other options may lead Liverpool to explore more dynamic midfield players to fill the role. Andre would cost relatively little (around €30 million, it is believed).
SALIH OZCAN (BORUSSIA DORTMUND)
As a “number six,” Ozcan is renowned for his incredible speed, which enables him to execute blazing-fast recovery runs.
He grew in stature at Borussia Dortmund in his first season last year and fits Klopp’s system perfectly. According to SciSports data, Ozcan performs best in a high-octane system and was a top counter-pressing performer last season.
He has a great passing range and good statistics for recoveries and interceptions. Despite his impressive stats, he occasionally disappears from games, as was the case for a struggling BVB team both this season and the season before, and given that he only recently moved from Koln, a transfer could be difficult.
CHEICK DOUCOURE (CRYSTAL PALACE)
Although Doucoure was mentioned in connection with Liverpool during the summer, the Reds were put off by the 23-year-old’s price tag, and he consequently is still at Crystal Palace.
Doucoure is renowned for favoring long passes, especially towards the final third. Last season, he made a sizable number of such passes, ranking among the most in the top five leagues in Europe.
Despite being six feet tall, Doucoure is a quick dribbler who averages 80% take-on success. He is a key player in Palace’s ball recovery and buildup because of his strong tackles and interceptions.
Doucoure is a master at managing the middle and stopping attacks, embodying the traditional “number six” position. Again, though, it’s the price that might make Liverpool consider alternative possibilities.
JOAO PALHINHA (FULHAM)
Joao Palhinha’s pursuit by Bayern Munich fell through in the summer, which seemed to have a significant impact on him.
The fact that he extended his contract with Fulham until 2028 and did so without a release clause was unexpected.
Palhinha has been a standout performer for Fulham and is perhaps their most important player. He combines height, intelligence, and outstanding on-the-ball skills while standing at 6 feet 3 inches. He stands out because he made 157 tackles in the Premier League last season, which is extremely impressive. He can effectively dislodge opponents and force turnovers thanks to his long legs.
The new contract may cause his price to skyrocket, and at 28, he might not have the durability Liverpool is looking for.
MANU KONE (BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH)
Initially linked to Liverpool in January, Kone’s summer transfer was hampered by an injury sustained while serving his country.
This season, he is still playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, but transfer rumors have persisted for some time. As a ball-winning midfielder, Kone shines. He is adaptable, capable of carrying the ball and moving. His excellent dribbling statistics include 2.03 successful dribbles for every 90 attempts.
Even in his position as a deeper midfielder, he is among the top players in build-up passes, per SciSports data. Kone’s outstanding passing range and accuracy enable him to adapt to a variety of midfield positions, from box-to-box to deep-lying playmaker.
Although it is questionable whether Kone will serve as a direct replacement for Fabinho, he is the player Liverpool have liked for a long time and the one who makes the most sense.