The Reds will soon have a vacancy in midfield, with Curtis Jones set to join Inter, and Phil Thompson thinks he knows just the man
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
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Liverpool could be in need of an extra midfielder to bolster their ranks before the transfer window closes, and former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson thinks he knows just the man.
The Reds find themselves in another period of transition after Arne Slot was relieved of his duties at the end of last season and replaced by former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Since then, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all departed Anfield at the end of their contracts and they look set to be joined by midfielder Curtis Jones, who has agreed to joined Italian champions Inter in Serie A.
His departure leaves a hole to be filled in the engine room and Kop hero Thompson already has someone in mind in the shape of Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.
Speaking on BOYLE Sports and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, 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, hasn't 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 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.”
Liverpool have previously been linked with a move for 22-year-old Wharton, but regardless of whether the club has genuine interest in the player or not, the chances of a deal coming to pass look slim.
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That's because, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Manchester City have seen their own enquiry for the England international turned down, with the Eagles insisting that Wharton is not for sale this summer.
As things stand, 19-year-old Trey Nyoni looks set to take on a more prominent role within Andoni's Liverpool squad this season, unless the Spaniard makes a surprise midfield signing before the transfer window closes.
Teenager Nyoni impressed during preseason and appears ready to stake his claim for more regular first-team minutes under Andoni in the new campaign.
The Reds start their Premier League fixture scheduled with a trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle United on Sunday, with the match kicking off at 4.30pm.