Liverpool needs to boost its midfield if Arne Slot is to improve next season with Manchester United exploiting the obvious weakness in its victory on Sunday
Chris Burns
14:21, 07 May 2026Updated 14:25, 07 May 2026
Jurgen Klopp, Red Bull Head of Global Soccer, looks on during the official opening of New York Red Bulls new training facilities on April 22
Jurgen Klopp was a big fan of Aurelien Tchouameni(Image: Dustin Satloff, Getty Images)
Liverpool may be contending with a number of challenges across the pitch this season, but one area that demands immediate attention is their midfield. Arne Slot could go a long way towards addressing that concern with the signing of long-term target Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid.
The Dutch manager's central unit was ruthlessly exposed by Manchester United in the Red Devils' 3-2 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday. The nation's press scrutinized the defeat to United, with Liverpool's midfield drawing heavy criticism for its lack of quality.
Supporters have also voiced their opinions, with the general feeling being that Liverpool is short of energy and tenacity in the engine room. While Slot's side, driven by Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai, cruised to the Premier League title last season, this campaign has seen Liverpool 's central unit frequently outpaced and outmuscled.
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It feels a far cry from the Liverpool of Jurgen Klopp's era, bolstered by the tireless, industrious qualities of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, and Fabinho, who would suffocate opponents without affording them a moment's respite, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Yet even with a midfield brimming with creativity and physicality, Klopp still had his eye on Tchouameni — which is precisely why the 26-year-old must be firmly in Liverpool's sights this summer. Tchouameni was strongly tipped for a switch to Anfield back in 2022. The midfielder had impressed during Monaco's 2021/22 campaign, and reports at the time suggested Klopp even made a personal trip to France in an attempt to finalize the transfer, while also holding telephone conversations with the defensive midfielder.
Tchouameni opted for Madrid over Liverpool in a deal valued at up to £85 million ($115.7M). He even acknowledged that Liverpool had pursued his signature.
Aurelien Tchouameni in action for Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni would certainly bolster Liverpool's midfield(Image: Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
"The first club to show interest in me was Liverpool," Tchouameni said in an interview with Le Parisien in November 2022. "There were discussions, but as soon as Real Madrid entered, my mind was made up. I didn't hesitate for a second. I told my agent, take me to Real Madrid."
While Tchouameni remains a valuable player for Los Blancos currently, with another managerial transition looming and links to Manchester City's Rodri and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez emerging, the French international could find his future lies away from the Bernabéu.
Acquiring a player with Tchouameni's remarkable physical qualities would be a shrewd move. He excels in one-on-one battles, prevailing in nearly 70 percent of his duels this season, and proves commanding in aerial contests. Additionally, he boasts a 91.4 percent passing accuracy this season, according to FotMob.
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The Frenchman would bring World Cup and Champions League-winning pedigree to a Liverpool midfield that appears to be flagging. While Szoboszlai has impressed more often than not this season, Curtis Jones has found himself sidelined and is entering the final 12 months of his contract.
Mac Allister has also struggled consistently this season, looking decidedly leggy, while Florian Wirtz has labored on the left and in the hole behind the Reds' attack. Defensive midfield specialist Wataru Endo remains a long-term injury absentee and looks set to be moved on this summer.
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Ryan Gravenberch, who signed a new long-term deal this season, has similarly failed to replicate last year's form. Nevertheless, the addition of a genuine holding midfielder in Tchouameni could prove transformative for the Dutchman's progression at Anfield.
It won't be a straightforward deal for Liverpool to complete. Madrid are reportedly prepared to offer the Frenchman a new long-term contract until 2031, and are said to be confident he will remain at the Bernabeu, with two years still left on his current deal.
Manchester United and Arsenal are also believed to be in the running, with any prospective buyer expected to part with around £80M ($109M). Yet it could prove an entirely worthwhile outlay to finally furnish Slot with a commanding midfielder capable of handling a Premier League that grows more physical with each passing week.