Wharton has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and won't be sort of suitors.placeholder image
Wharton has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and won't be sort of suitors. | Getty Images
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Adam Wharton, but who could make way in the engine room if he is signed?
In the summer, it looked like all Liverpool had to do was add a few more goals through the middle of the pitch and the Premier League title would be won again.
Instead, Arne Slot has found himself struggling for ideas and looking for the right balance throughout his team. One area of the park that looked like it didn’t need any attention was in midfield, and yet The Reds boss has taken half the season to realise that the spine of his team is weaker and more vulnerable when Florian Wirtz is deployed as a no.10.
Liverpool target Adam Wharton
As seen against Leeds Utd, the consequence of having a more solid midfield is a lack of creativity. Every player in the engine room is a good player, however, they aren’t ball carriers or the type that will play defence splitting passes to unlock stubborn defences. One player who Liverpool have been linked with is Adam Wharton. On paper, he is a defensive playmaker, but he is also the type of playmaker that can split the lines of a low block and release forward runners. With the 21-year old having a “gentleman’s agreement” for a £65m transfer should a Champions League club come knocking.
Should Wharton be signed, the player most at risk is Alexis Mac Allister. Curtis Jones has been outstanding and barely missed a pass in recent weeks and both Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have been two of Liverpool’s better players this season. It’s a low bar, but the point stands. According to German media outlet Bild, Mac Allister could make way for Wharton despite reports that talks over a new contract have begun.
Mac Allister opens up on behind the scenes unrest at Liverpool
Speaking ahead of the clash with Fulham, Mac Allister told Sky Sports that Anfield hasn’t been a happy place this season and that there have been things behind the scenes that have contributed to the drop off in form.
“It hurts,” the midfielder said as he declared Liverpool’s title hopes over. “Many things have changed from last season and it is not ideal, but that is the situation we are in and we have to face it and keep working to get better.
“Many things changed, as I said. New players came in to replace those who left, we changed too many things, but I prefer to keep it to myself.”
A hint to losing close friends like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and not being happy with what has happened.
“This should be a moment when we are enjoying the Premier League which we won and we should be in a much better place than we are,” the 27-year-old added. “It is quite clear we have amazing players, it is just about becoming a team, that is what we need. Personally, without the team I am nothing and I feel like we all need to get better and think about the guy next to me, become a better team and that will help us and raise our level.
“For me it is quite clear but in terms of goals, the Champions League is there and we will definitely fight for that one because it would be a very nice one. And the FA Cup, which is a really important cup for English teams. We are still there, we are going to play soon and that is another goal for us. When you play for Liverpool, you always have to fight for everything.”
Mac Allister is right, there is still a lot to play for, including for some, their Liverpool careers.
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