Liverpool don’t seem likely to sign Adam Wharton this summer, which has baffled Phil Thompson, while Ray Houghton says he has “all the ingredients there for being a top player.”
The Reds are on the verge of selling Curtis Jones to Inter Milan, but surprisingly have no plans to replace him.
This is a major risk, in my opinion, as it will leave Andoni Iraola extremely light in the middle of the park.
After a season in which Liverpool looked extremely soft in the engine room, it would have been nice to see some more midfield signings – and that was before Jones looked likely to leave.
Thompson said: “Adam Wharton is a player that I would be interested in signing for Liverpool.
“I can’t understand why nobody, in all this transfer merry-go-round, has picked him up this summer. He is one that you talk about in terms of having good character.
“At a football club, besides talent, you need people of a good sort, and I’ve always looked at Wharton and thought he’s a good character. I think he’s probably the next player Crystal Palace will have to sell, because they have to sell one a year for big money.”
Wharton to Liverpool also endorsed by Ray Houghton
After Thompson’s praise for the Crystal Palace star, former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton has said he would love to see Wharton at Anfield.
He said: “I listen to people who I’ve played with and who’ve got a good eye for midfielders. I know Jan Molby, he’s a big fan of Adam. He spoke about him highly on numerous occasions and I trust Jan’s judgment. He knows the game, he knows the position. He feels that there’s a real player in there that can do well.
“I spoke to Adam, actually, when they [Palace] beat Liverpool last season. I was at the game and after the match I was talking to Mark Bright and Adam came out. He’s a really down-to-earth lad, really, really lovely kid. It was a joy to speak to him and just listen to him and he just wants to be the best that he can.
“He’s got a great attitude. If anyone was to ask me, what do you think of Adam Wharton, I’d say great attitude. He wants to be successful. He’s got all the ingredients there for being a top player.”
Hopefully Liverpool won’t live to regret their decision to not sign a midfielder, or better yet, they change their minds before the window closes in less than two weeks.
That doesn’t seem likely right now, but time will tell.