Some more midfield transfers might be in order at Liverpool this summer
Some more midfield transfers might be in order at Liverpool this summer
Liverpool's midfield is about get an injection of £116m-worth of talent in the shape of Florian Wirtz. It is not only the most the Reds themselves have ever spent on one player, but the most amongst all Premier League clubs to date.
It is certainly a bold statement having only lifted the trophy a matter of weeks ago. Arne Slot is not messing around, he wants a team that is truly his to traverse life beyond the Jurgen Klopp era, and those with power are willing to back the Dutchman now that he has proven capable of achieving the highest honours.
Attention has also been given to his full-back options, with Jeremie Frimpong confirmed a Liverpool player only hours after Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure was made official and Milos Kerkez the next prime target for the opposite flank.
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What happens next in the Reds' summer is an open book. Talk of a new striker is ongoing, in line with exit rumours of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa.
But what about the rest of the midfield? Only last year the club made a play for Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi, only to be rebuffed.
Slot then proceeded to play the season with Ryan Gravenberch as a defensive-minded man in the middle, and whilst it worked there is going to be a point in time where his legs give out - Klopp learned that the hard way with his options in 2022/23.
So, £145m spent on refitting the engine room in 2023 and another £116m ready to be spent in 2025 - here, the ECHO takes a look at how with only £30m more, the midfield rebuild can be completed for good.
Incomings
As stated, Wirtz is destined to be the next piece of the midfield puzzle through the door.
A £116m transfer has been agreed with Bayer Leverkusen following three weeks of negotiation, now a medical is due to take place as part of the final steps in wrapping up the deal in its entirety. In doing so, Slot will acquire a creative No.10 he can form the rest of his midfield and the attack force around.
It leaves the last piece, a defensive midfielder, unanswered. It might not feel a priority but in reality, this is a position that Liverpool have not covered since Fabinho's departure in 2023.
Understandably this isn't for a lack of trying - Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Zubimendi have all rejected advances in recent times. Perhaps another solution has just not appeared as obvious.
But look towards the Bundesliga and Liverpool would find Angelo Stiller - VfB Stuttgart's 24-year-old enforcer.
A product of the Bayern Munich academy, he has made over 100 appearances in the German top-flight. In the role that Gravenberch has occupied he has earned comparisons to countrymen Toni Kroos and Joshua Kimmich for his ability to read play, intercept the opposition and turn that to Stuttgart's advantage through quick, accurate playmaking.
German media circles have already spoken of Reds interest and that of a €36m (£30m) release clause for the German national, simplifying the process to sign him.
Signed: Florian Wirtz, Angelo Stiller
Outgoings
Incomings all put point towards who may ask to walk through the exit door - as difficult as some departures may be.
Wirtz taking ownership of the attacking midfield role from Dominik Szoboszlai would allow him to move deeper into the central midfield role of the team, though the Hungarian would then also be able to rotate for purposes of resting the new signing. Alexis Mac Allister has the same functionality and so does Curtis Jones to an extent.
This just serves to push Harvey Elliott further and further down the pecking order.
The boyhood Liverpool supporter is adored at Anfield, but has admitted himself that he doesn't have years to waste of his career - a move may be what is best.
The same goes for Tyler Morton, even without the targeting of a defensive midfielder.
Last year the academy graduate returned from his loan at Hull City, did not secure another move away and stuck around only to play five times all season. Similarly, he deserves the chance to flourish elsewhere.
Lastly, Stefan Bajcetic presents another conundrum.
Once upon a time the 20-year-old seemed destined for greatness around these parts, but all of that has been put on hold due to frequent injuries. He's only just returned from a loan at Las Palmas and gone under the knife on an unfortunate issue picked up at the end of last season, which threatens his involvement in pre-season.
Because of this and increased competition at Liverpool, another loan seems wise for when he recovers.
Sold: Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton
Loaned out: Stefan Bajcetic
Dream Liverpool midfield 2025/26
Attacking midfielders: Florian Wirtz
Central midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (rotated as an attacking midfielder), Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai (rotated as an attacking midfielder), James McConnell
Defensive midfielders: Angelo Stiller, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo