Adam Wharton has emerged as a serious target for Liverpool as they look to bolster their midfield this summer.
The Reds have been unchanged in the middle of the pitch since 2023, when a £150m spending spree saw four new players arrive.
However, with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch dropping below their usual standards, something extra is needed for 2026/27. One of the biggest issues – particularly with Mac Allister – has been a distinct lack of pace, and whoever is brought in has to remedy that problem.
But while Wharton is seen as a suitable target by many, Opta have released some data which points to the Crystal Palace player being one of the slowest in the Premier League. As a result, Liverpool may have to rethink their strategy.
Who should Slot start up front against Crystal Palace? 🤔
Alexander Isak pictured with his arms outstretched during Liverpool's Premier League match against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Cody Gakpo reacts during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
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Wharton is too slow to fix Liverpool’s midfield
Despite his struggles this season, it would still be a shame to see Mac Allister depart this summer. If he does go, though, Liverpool simply have to bring in a more physical, quicker player.
The Argentine often struggles to catch up to opposition players who have burst past him, and over the course of the season his lack of pace has started to really hurt the Reds.
Nevertheless, as Opta detail, Mac Allister has actually been quicker than Wharton this season.
Adam Wharton spreads his arms during Crystal Palace's Premier League match against Fulham at Selhurst Park.
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READ MORE: Liverpool may have already dropped a big hint that they’re about to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace
Amongst the outfielders to have played at least 900 minutes – or 10 full games – of Premier League action, the Palace man has clocked up the 10th slowest top speed.
Hitting 30.94 Km/h, Wharton is amongst veterans such as Casemiro, Bernardo Silva and Pascal Gross as the Premier League’s slowest player.
He obviously has other key attributes which can help Liverpool, but for a reported £80m fee, Arne Slot should not be making his midfield slower.
Who could Liverpool target instead?
Obviously, speed will not be the only thing taken into consideration when Liverpool look for a new midfielder this summer.
But it should be a definite factor, and if that puts Wharton’s move into doubt, then it could be a reason to champion the signing of Archie Gray from Tottenham.
Gray has been linked with the Reds as Spurs flirt with relegation to the Championship, and as ESPN reported in February, the 20-year-old was recorded as the fastest midfielder in the Champions League group stage this season.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
With a top speed of 34.82 Km/h, Gray is almost 4 Km/h faster than Wharton, and would likely be a fair bit cheaper, too.
Interestingly, Tottenham teammate Lucas Bergvall came in second, and with Liverpool rumoured to be interested in Bergvall as well, he would make for another interesting target.
Wharton will still have plenty of fans despite his lack of speed, but if Liverpool continue to struggle in matching opponents physically in the middle of the park next season, they can’t say that they were not warned.
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