Liverpool could be forced to look at other options in the transfer market, following issues in the Yankuba Minteh deal, which could allow the team to pivot elsewhere
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford
Liverpool could address a key concern Jamie Carragher has in the squad(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Liverpool has faced issues in trying to get a deal over the line for Yankuba Minteh, which could let the Reds address a concern that Jamie Carragher has with the team.
The Reds have been keen on adding a right-winger to the team, alongside the chase to land Bradley Barcola, which led to the approach for the Brighton ace. However, after having two bids rejected for the Gambian international, it now seems as though a deal won't be possible.
Reports claim that Brighton has set a valuation of over $100 million for the winger, which has led to the Merseyside club cooling its interest in a move. It leaves Liverpool looking at the options for the right wing to help improve the forward line for Andoni Iraola, but there could be an opportunity to change approach with the latest twist in the transfer market.
The money that could've been invested in a player like Minteh could instead be used to help shore up the midfield, which has been an area of concern this summer.
It's not for a lack of quality options, with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister available in the pivot, alongside the emergence of Trey Nyoni.
However, there are clear concerns over the profiles in those positions, as most of the options are relatively offensively minded, which has caused some problems early on for Liverpool under Iraola.
The Reds were caught out twice against Newcastle, as the hosts scored from two counterattacks, with the midfield's positioning and defensive awareness being called into question in the build-up to both goals.
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion
Yankuba Minteh isn't expected to join Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
“Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch," Carragher said on Sky Sports when analyzing the game, pleading with the team to land another midfield addition in the transfer window.
"It doesn't necessarily need to be a player who can't get on the ball and he's just tackling and stopping players. If you play for one of the top teams in the world, you need to be able to get hold of the ball.
“But I want someone who can run. Szoboszlai has to go to the number ten. I've always seen this coming. When people are saying [Wirtz] has got to go to number ten, that means Szoboszlai's got to be in the team, and he's not a central midfield player.
“I thought this would come up in six weeks, I think it's coming up right now. I don't see where he fits in at all, really. What's Iraola going to do with Wirtz? You can't keep going with it; it's not working.
“It didn't work last season. Liverpool last season conceded 78 goals, 53 in the Premier League, the most they've ever conceded in the Premier League. And all of a sudden it's all about buying wingers?"
That clear issue has yet to be addressed in the market, but a deal seemingly falling through for Minteh may allow Liverpool to now look at addressing the balance in the central ranks to add a midfielder who can bring some stability to the side.
While that leaves a slight gap on the right wing, Iraola has already made it clear that he is willing to move players across the frontline, while the issues in midfield are significantly larger.