Richard Hughes might use Liverpool’s Pep Lijnders technique once more as the “next” Alonso Xabi desires a transfer.

This summer, Xabi Alonso might take over as manager of Liverpool under Richard Hughes. Additionally, he might negotiate for his heir to join the Reds’ playing roster.

When Richard Hughes starts working at Liverpool, he will have a lot on his plate. Arriving formally on June 1st, the new sporting director will have a long list of tasks to complete.

Of course, the first priority will be appointing a new manager to succeed Jürgen Klopp. Xabi Alonso is the overwhelming favourite, but Bayern Munich will undoubtedly pose a threat.

After that, Hughes’ job at Anfield will be to bring in the first players of the new era. He might already have one option in front of him.

By now, Liverpool supporters will be well acquainted with Teun Koopmeiners. Although a transfer has never happened, the Atalanta midfielder’s name has frequently appeared in transfer market rumours.

Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Liverpool has been keeping an eye on the former AZ Alkmaar player, but Juventus is equally determined to keep him in Italy. Atalanta would likely be seeking $54 million (£43 million/€50 million), albeit it’s possible that the player overplayed their hand.

Koopmeiners has acknowledged that he is interested in joining the Premier League and wants to go this summer. “Last year, Napoli showed definite interest. Ultimately, though, the two teams were unable to come to a consensus. I told Atalanta that I wanted to move in the upcoming summer,” he said to the De Telegraaf.

While my fiancée and I are enjoying our time in Italy, I could even put up with the wet days at select clubs in England. I’m hoping opportunities arise so I can consider it. If I claimed I was unaware of the interest Juventus and Premier League teams have shown in me, I would be lying.”

Liverpool’s interest in Koopmeiners, a Dutch international, may be taken seriously. With Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk at Anfield, there’s no denying the Dutch influence. Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s assistant, was instrumental in the team’s purchase of Cody Gakpo. He is well-known for closely monitoring players from his native country, and Ryan Gravenberch joined him in the summer.

Thus, Lijnders will surely be familiar with Koopmeiners, who captained AZ Alkmaar and was a formidable force in the Eredivisie before relocating to Serie A, where he has once again shown promise. At the conclusion of the season, Lijnders and Klopp will undoubtedly part ways, but maybe Hughes will feel some of his impact.

Without a doubt, Koopmeiners is the kind of player who can contribute in the latter third. Importantly, though, he is also a versatile player for Liverpool in terms of tactics.

Koopmeiners excels when he has the ball and is most effective in a holding midfield role. However, he can also play in more advanced areas, much like Georginio Wijnaldum did.

Koopmeiners is gifted with exceptional technique, but he also possesses a special ability to hit the ball. In addition to his exceptional long ball distribution, which allows the midfielder to send defense-splitting passes across the pitch, he is also capable of hitting the target from long range.

Koopmeiners reminds me a lot of Xabi Alonso in terms of his technique and poise when handling the ball. If he were to join Liverpool, the Reds wouldn’t likely have had a player like that since the manager of Bayern Leverkusen.

Of course, another important component of Klopp’s strategy is the long ball. If Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, for example, were encouraged to make deep, penetrating passes to switch plays, Koopmeiners would be a perfect fit if that kind of style were to be used following Klopp’s departure.

After rebuilding last summer, midfield may not be a top priority for Liverpool, but nothing is off the table with a new manager in charge. Koopmeiners may prove to be Alonso’s midfield successor if he is appointed as the new manager.