Liverpool are in clear need of another defensive midfielder and there are a number of attractive options emerging ahead of the summer – including Adam Wharton.
For whatever reason, the structure of Arne Slot‘s midfield has changed for the worse.
With Ryan Gravenberch given more license to push forward it has made Liverpool susceptible to quick turnovers, while sides have been allowed to play through the middle third of the pitch with ease.
That is as much an issue with their tactical setup as it is the personnel available to Slot, but regardless it is evident that the Reds are lacking a top-level No. 6.
Here are 10 they could look to sign this summer, with Crystal Palace‘s Wharton one of the primary candidates.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 27, 2025: Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Adam Wharton
Full Name: Adam James WhartonAge: 22 (February 6, 2004)Height: 6’0″ (182cm)Birthplace: Blackburn, England
Club: Crystal PalacePosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: LeftMarket Value: £57m (€65.8m)
If Liverpool are looking for the next Fabinho, they would be looking in the wrong place by targeting Adam Wharton.
But their interest is understandable given the profile required at the base of Slot’s midfield, which depends on progressive play as much as it does defensive stability.
Wharton is very much a creator from deep: a line-breaking, possession-hungry metronome who is in the elite percentile for both chances created (92nd) and big chances created (98th) among Premier League midfielders this season.
That ability to spring attacks has been sorely lacking since Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s exit, and adding a player with Wharton’s technical vision – as well as his discipline as a lone pivot – could transform Liverpool’s setup.
Ederson (Atalanta)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, April 11, 2024: Liverpool's Curtis Jones (L) is challenged by Atalanta's Éderson José dos Santos Lourenço da Silva during the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and BC Atalanta at Anfield. Atalanta won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Ederson
Full Name: Ederson Jose dos Santos Lourenco da SilvaAge: 26 (Jul 7, 1999)Height: 6’0″ (183cm)Birthplace: Campo Grande, Brazil
Club: AtalantaPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £34m (€39.2m)
More of a natural defensive presence in the No. 6 role, Ederson still provides the progressive approach that would suit Liverpool’s system.
A relentless, aggressive ball-winner, the Brazilian is also very comfortable carrying the ball up the pitch which may lend himself to the role Gravenberch has been playing in Slot’s second season.
Ederson’s passing range allows him to recycle play at both short and long range while his desire to drive attacks after gaining possession should make him a strong fit for the Premier League.
His contract expires in 2027 and he is already attracting interest from Man United, with the Guardian‘s Jamie Jackson reporting that he could be available for around £40 million.
Joao Gomes (Wolves)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Wolverhampton Wanderers' João Gomes during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Joao Gomes
Full Name: Joao Victor Gomes da SilvaAge: 25 (Feb 12, 2001)Height: 5’9″ (176cm)Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Club: WolvesPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £44m (€50.8m)
Liverpool could look to exploit Wolves‘ relegation to the Championship by poaching one of the standout players in Joao Gomes.
Since joining from Flamengo in 2023, Gomes has settled as one of the busiest No. 6s in the Premier League, in the top percentile for defensive contributions (88th) including tackles (90th) and recoveries (93rd).
A more orthodox defensive midfielder, there could be reservations over how he would adjust to a more possession-heavy system such as Liverpool’s, but he provides a quality that has been lacking since Fabinho departed.
If Liverpool can negotiate a bargain deal with Wolves, Gomes would be an outstanding addition.
Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Bournemouth's Alex Scott during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Alex Scott
Full Name: Alex Jay ScottAge: 22 (Aug 21, 2003)Height: 5’10” (178cm)Birthplace: Guernsey, Channel Islands
Club: BournemouthPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £27m (€31.2m)
Alex Scott’s game has transformed under Andoni Iraola, and the way he has embraced his role as a high-intensity carrier from deep should spark the interest of Liverpool’s recruiters.
Turning 23 in August, the Guernsey-born midfielder is a constant presence in the middle of the park, winning the ball, driving up the pitch and providing a regular threat in attack too.
Arguably the least natural defensive midfielder on this list, Scott has however shown it is a role he can excel in while providing tactical flexibility as a No. 8 or even further forward.
Like Wharton, if Liverpool were to act on their long-standing interest Scott this summer – three years after he was linked with a move from Bristol City – it would add another much-needed homegrown player to the squad.
Mateus Fernandes (West Ham)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, December 17, 2024: Southampton's Mateus Fernandes during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Mateus Fernandes
Full Name: Mateus Goncalo Espanha FernandesAge: 21 (Jul 10, 2004)Height: 5’10” (178cm)Birthplace: Olhao, Portugal
Club: West HamPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £21M (€24.2m)
With West Ham battling relegation in the final weeks of the season, Mateus Fernandes will be on the radar of a number of top clubs as they look to capitalise.
Despite his side’s struggles this season, the Portuguese has emerged as one of the best all-round midfielders in the Premier League – aided by previous experience at Southampton.
A tough-tackler, ball-carrier and playmaker from deep, Fernandes looks ready to step up to an elite-level midfield and it is no surprise he has already been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
With Liverpool needing another No. 6 this summer, they could do much worse than targeting a player who is primed to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Vitinha and Joao Neves.
Lamine Camara (Monaco)
Player Profile: Lamine Camara
Full Name: Mamadou Lamine CamaraAge: 22 (Jan 1, 2004)Height: 5’8″ (173cm)Birthplace: Diouloulou, Senegal
Club: MonacoPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £30m (€34.6m)
One of the most dynamic young midfielders in Europe, Camara is emerging from his second season at Monaco with a lot of admirers.
It is easy to see why, given the intensity and urgency he brings to Monaco’s engine room, operating as a pivot while either recycling possession in front of the back four or taking it on the half-turn to launch attacks from deep.
Though small in stature he is comfortable in physical battles, winning 6.7 duels per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 to place him in the 92nd percentile for midfielders – by comparison, Gravenberch has won 4.8 duels per 90 this season.
Archie Gray (Tottenham)
Archie Gray Tottenham (Mike Egerton/PA)
Player Profile: Archie Gray
Full Name: Archie James Francis GrayAge: 20 (Mar 12, 2006)Height: 6’1″ (187cm)Birthplace: Durham, England
Club: TottenhamPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £51m (€58.8m)
Liverpool are expected to be among the clubs to explore a deal for English youngster Archie Gray if Tottenham are relegated this season.
It is a no-brainer move for them, with Gray an accomplished deep-lying midfielder as well as an option at centre-back, right-back, left-back and further forward in the midfield.
He could fill the Gravenberch-type role in the No. 6 or perhaps even as an inverted right-back – with the jury still out on Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong – allowing for a different profile in midfield in the process.
Khephran Thuram (Juventus)
2JP0214 Nice, France, 14th August 2022. Khephren Thuram of OGC Nice stares towards the fans following the final whistle of the Uber Eats Ligue 1 match at Allianz Riviera Stadium, Nice. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage
Player Profile: Khephren Thuram
Full Name: Khephren Thuram-UlienAge: 25 (Mar 26, 2001)Height: 6’3″ (191cm)Birthplace: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Club: JuventusPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £37m (€42.7m)
For Liverpool fans, it was hard to avoid the names Khephran Thuram and Manu Kone throughout the summer of 2023.
Ultimately, deals for the France internationals did not come to fruition as Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo all arrived to transform Jurgen Klopp‘s midfield.
But three years later the availability of Thuram – linked with a move from Juventus after just two seasons – could spark further interest from Anfield.
His role has developed since leaving Nice and he is arguably better suited to Liverpool’s setup today, with his height and physicality complemented by his ease in possession and ball-carrying ability.
Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 27, 2022: Germany's captain Angelo Stiller during the International friendly between England Under-21’s and Germany Under-21’s at Bramall Lane. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player Profile: Angelo Stiller
Full Name: Angelo StillerAge: 25 (Apr 4, 2001)Height: 6’0″ (183cm)Birthplace: Munich, Germany
Club: StuttgartPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: LeftMarket Value: £41m (€47.3m)
Liverpool were reliably linked with Stuttgart stalwart Angelo Stiller this time last year, with the Stuttgarter Nachrichten reporting “serious interest” in the Germany midfielder.
Clearly the move didn’t develop but with Gravenberch no longer the standout No. 6 he was last season, it could make sense to revisit their interest.
Another deep-lying creator, Stiller is in a similar mould to Wharton while perhaps offering more assurance off the ball than his English counterpart.
Has a €36.5 million (£31.6m) release clause in his contract active this summer.
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Martin Rickett/PA)
Player Profile: Elliot Anderson
Full Name: Elliot Junior AndersonAge: 23 (Nov 6, 2002)Height: 5’10” (179cm)Birthplace: Whitley Bay, England
Club: Nottingham ForestPosition: Defensive MidfielderFoot: RightMarket Value: £46m (€53.1m)
Elliot Anderson may be the best possible option to add to Liverpool’s midfield this summer – but according to Sky Sports, Man City lead the race for his signature.
That may rule the 23-year-old out of reach already, but if there is any way a deal could be brokered, the Reds should insert themselves into the conversation.
Anderson is an all-action midfielder, with a tireless energy allowing him to destroy from deep as well as playing a pivotal role going forward, with no player winning more duels in the season’s Premier League (265).
Though Forest are seeking a fee of upwards of £100 million this summer, the England international would be the perfect signing if it becomes possible for Liverpool.