Liverpool’s transfer list could be a Jorg Schmadtke smokescreen for four players

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Liverpool have four players shortlisted to replace Fabinho who is moving to Saudi Arabia, but the list of names released by the club could be a smokescreen. The deals the Reds do often come with very little notice, such as the sudden arrival of Dominik Szoboszlai. But on Saturday, as Fabinho made his way to Al-Ittihad for a reported £40m fee, a list of four goals was shared.

Man City’s Kalvin Phillips, Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch made up the quartet. Indeed, given that Liverpool like to go about their business quietly, they could be more serious about exploring alternative options that haven’t been mentioned, at least not outside of Jörg Schmadtke and Jurgen Klopp’s WhatsApp chat.

Florentino Luis
Florentino is a popular name among Liverpool fans on social media. The 23-year-old defending champion became a key player for Benfica last season. The tenacious Portugal U21 international made 54 appearances in a historic campaign after two seasons on loan at Monaco and Getafe.

Florentino’s numbers compare well with Fabinho’s and his profile suggests he would be an ideal successor as he is strong on the ball, passing and dribbling, but also from distance.

He has a £103million release clause in his contract, but there have been rumors he could be available for a third of that. However, Benfica are known to be astute negotiators. The ball-winning talent over six feet has a low salary of around £22,000 a week which is good for Liverpool, but he is under contract until 2027 which means his current club are in a strong position.

Youssouf Fofana
Liverpool wanted Aurelien Tchouameni last year, before the Frenchman swapped Monaco for Real Madrid. In his compatriot Youssouf Fofana, who also plays for the principality, they could attract a stylistically similar midfielder.

The 6ft 1ins Fofana is 24 years old and a French international with 10 caps. Fofana is adept at intercepting the ball and interrupting play. He has played at least 33 of 38 Ligue 1 matches in each of Monaco’s 38 Ligue 1 matches in each of the last three seasons, proving he is sustainable himself.

With Fabinho strong in dogfights, Fofana managed to replicate that strength. He is also capable of playing as a number 8 if needed and can advance in possession. Fofana – under contract until June 2025 – currently earns less than £10,000 a week and would therefore fit within Liverpool’s salary structure.

Tyler Adams

One player who, like Lavia and Phillips, has Premier League experience is Leeds’ Tyler Adams. The American arrived just 12 months ago after training at RB Leipzig for three and a half seasons. The tireless 24-year-old is a pressing monster and is around 1.70 meters tall. As such, he could act as a No.8 rather than a No.6, although he could be an N’Golo Kante-type ground cover for Klopp.

Adams has hinted he wants to stay at Leeds to help bring Los Blancos back to the Premier League. But the lure of playing for a club of Liverpool’s size and prestige might be too tempting an offer for a player with 36 US caps and nearly 250 club appearances to turn down.

There is talk of a £30m relegation clause in his contract after costing the Yorkshire club £20m a year ago. However, a concern for Adams could be that he has suffered multiple muscle injuries in recent seasons and Liverpool desperately need midfielders that are as shock and impact resistant as possible.

Edson Alvarez

Ajax defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez is the least likely of the four, but he is still a candidate and is still in Amsterdam despite being long linked with a move. The Mexican international is the oldest of the quartet at 25 (26 in October) but also the most experienced with 260 club selections and 67 selections in Mexico.

The industrious Álvarez has been a regular at Ajax for four seasons, so he is adept at possession, but lives above all by winning and destroying. The 6-foot 1-inch defensive midfielder is under contract until 2025 on his wages of £35,000 a week and is expected to cost between £35m and £40m.

A former Chelsea target for former boss Thomas Tuchel, Alvarez can also operate at centre-back which is a useful skill. However, West Ham are already in contact with Ajax for him and he could be better suited at the level of the Hammers than Liverpool.