United want to sign a central midfielder and Atalanta star Ederson could be the ideal fit for their style of play.placeholder image
United want to sign a central midfielder and Atalanta star Ederson could be the ideal fit for their style of play. | Getty Images
Liverpool have spent a lot of money to rebuild Arne Slot’s squad, but this doesn’t mean that they need to save money in January.
There aren’t many positions where Liverpool need to strengthen in the January transfer window with one or two obvious exceptions.
Arne Slot was left short of specialised centre-halves when a late bid for Marc Guehi collapsed and especially when Giovanni Leoni was ruled out for the campaign, failure to address Ibrahima Konate’s contract earlier has also proven to be costly given the France international’s erratic form since the season kicked off.
It would be a surprise if Guehi isn’t targeted again, however, there is another area where the Reds need reinforcements.
Liverpool target defensive midfielder
Slot’s change to a diamond midfield as well as Cody Gakpo’s injury makes it feel like every midfielder at the club is currently being asked to play every game. It is one position where the manager has depth, and yet he has a shortage in terms of an experienced defensive midfielder. Ryan Gravenberch has been one of the most consistent performers this season but isn’t a natural no.6 even if he has the skillset to do it.
A link to Atalanta’s Ederson suggests that Richard Hughes is looking to address the situation with a £50m valuation for the Brazil international. At 26-years old he is an experienced operator in Serie A although Liverpool should be looking closer to home.
Using Data MB’s comparison model, there is one obvious stand-out who has a similar profile to Ederson, but who has already shown that he can dominate in the Premier League and on the international stage.
Radar comparison image of Atalanta's Ederson (blue) and Elliot Anderson (red) using 2025/26 statistics.placeholder image
Radar comparison image of Atalanta's Ederson (blue) and Elliot Anderson (red) using 2025/26 statistics. | Data MB.
There is one key difference between the 23-year old and Ederson in that the former Newcastle midfielder wins more duels, wins possession more and plays more progressive passes. With a three-year age gap, paying the higher fee would be a sound investment over the long-term given the average age of the current squad.
Are Liverpool interested in Anderson?
According to The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, writing at the end of November, Liverpool are very much in the hunt for the England playmaker: “City are said to be aware that both Liverpool and Manchester United will be interested in Anderson and there is a feeling that a player who will likely be an England regular for several years is too good to pass by.
“Talk of Anderson returning to Newcastle, who were forced to sell him to Forest for £35m to avoid a PSR points deduction in 2024, is unlikely to come to anything. The price tag of £80-100m is beyond their current scope.”
Anderson would be a similar signing to Guehi. It would mean that it is a position that doesn’t have to be worried about for the best part of seven years or more. Given the work that has already been done to Liverpool’s squad in the summer, it now needs one or two players of quality and Anderson ticks a lot of boxes.
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