INJURY BLOW: For Liverpool and boss Arne Slot, above, ahead of Leeds United's visit.placeholder image
INJURY BLOW: For Liverpool and boss Arne Slot, above, ahead of Leeds United's visit. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool are heading in the right direction, but could hijacking a Premier League rival’s transfer plans strengthen their squad?
The original target for the year will have been to retain the Premier League title, however, after a difficult period when the manager’s position was questioned, the sights have been reset. The aim will now be to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Man City at the top of the table and winning the big games has never been more important. One of the key reasons why The Reds have returned to the top four and are hanging on the edge of the title race is because there is a more pragmatic look to the team and a solidarity that was previously missing.
Liverpool could make bargain midfield swoop
One area of the park that needs to be strengthened is in midfield with players who are more defence-minded being linked already. Ruben Neves has been offered to Premier League clubs and the former Wolves midfielder could be the perfect option for Liverpool given his ability to dictate the tempo of a game from in front of the back four. Another former Premier League player who has been linked with a return is Conor Gallagher, who has the sort of profile that could add a bit of bite to the engine room.
Gallagher is as good as there is at winning the ball back and, out of possession, he could make a real difference. As seen by Data MB’s data comparison model, he is also a front foot player and turns defence into attack quickly. Building a midfield is always about balance and about players having different skillsets and Gallagher would dovetail nicely in a pivot with Ryan Gravenberch or Curtis Jones and could be the next Jordan Henderson for Liverpool.
How much would Gallagher cost?
Man United have been linked with Gallagher, but given the fee, Liverpool should be keeping tabs on the situation: ”Romano said on his YouTube channel: “At the moment, the message I am getting on Gallagher from Atletico Madrid is that Atletico are only opening eventually the doors to a permanent transfer. Atletico Madrid, as of today, as of Christmas, insist on the priority to a permanent move for something around €30million (£26.2m, $35.3m). Atletico Madrid don’t want to give the player on loan.
“That was the position in the summer, in the final days of the summer transfer window, when Man Utd actually tried to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid when they were looking for a last-minute opportunity but was not possible. Man Utd have been linked again with Conor Gallagher, but Atletico insist on permanent transfer.
“Then, whether this is going to change, whether this is going to be a permanent transfer or maybe a loan later in the market, because, sometimes, guys, in the market, especially in the first window, like the one in January, maybe today is a permanent and at the end of the market could be a loan. But, as of today, Atletico Madrid insist permanent or nothing for Conor Gallagher. So, we will be following the situation for sure, but the name of Conor Gallagher could be an interesting one to follow in January.
“Man Utd tried in the summer, remain in contact with people close to the player, but at the moment, the message from Atletico is permanent or nothing.” Given his experience, his home grown status and profile, for £26m, Liverpool could land a bargain, and ruin the plans of a historical rival at the same time.
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