In an ideal world, Jurgen Klopp would have completed his midfield transformation at Liverpool by the third weekend of the Premier League season. But we are not in that world, as the German is still looking for an extra reinforcement after a turbulent summer.
Things seemed to be going to plan as they welcomed both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho quickly derailed plans before the Reds’ failure to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia don’t get the message across.
Now the Premier League giants have reportedly turned their attention to a £70m Cheick Doucour alternative.
What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news? After Liverpool finally welcomed a defensive midfielder in Wataru Endo, Liverpool reportedly focused on Crystal Palace’s Doucoure, who the Eagles would value at £70m.
However, when the Reds found out about the midfielder’s price, they felt Doucoure was too expensive and quickly turned their attention elsewhere.
With just under a week to go until the summer transfer window closes, however, Liverpool will need to act quickly if they are to complete their reconstruction in the middle of the park. At least Anfield players have now found an immediate alternative to Doucour.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool could once again focus on Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who is worth £30million, as Bayern are now said to be more willing to sell the Dutchman this summer. The Merseyside club may need to act quickly if they are to secure the ex-Ajax signing, but Manchester United have also been long-time admirers of Gravenberch. Obviously, Erik ten Hag worked with the player when he was at Ajax.
Should Liverpool sign Ryan Gravenberch?
Liverpool’s need for a new midfielder is no secret and welcoming a 21-year-old from Bayern Munich, who could cost as little as £30m, would be a solid deal for the Reds.
Even if things didn’t work out between the Bundesliga champions (they only started three times in the league last season), Gravenberch has shown enough potential to continue and achieve success elsewhere. At his best, the Dutchman received plenty of praise, including from former Ajax youth coach Brian Tevreden, who told Goal: “Physically I see Frank in him back then. because he is big and very strong.” But technically I would say he is a better version of Pogba in his best days at Juventus in terms of technique and presence on the pitch.
“He’s very dominant like Pogba and I see that in Ryan.”
For his part, former Ajax striker Wim Kieft had nothing but praise, writing in De Telegraaf about the Liverpool Echo: “He is the greatest talent in the Netherlands”.
“Only 18, but the prototype of a full-fledged player. You can see it growing every week. “If someone like him makes his debut at the top level, the big question is whether he can keep up with the faster pace. Gravenberch understands this very quickly. Even in the Champions League. If you see how, despite his height and physicality, he easily walks away in the crowd and accelerates, then you don’t see much.
Gravenberch could be Liverpool’s ideal solution to their midfield problem.
More news……
Liverpool have a new reason not to love Eden Hazard after the Reds left in shame
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has often been a thorn in Liverpool’s side.
Liverpool have a new reason not to love Eden Hazard, after he was previously teased on the pitch by the Belgian. The former Chelsea star was reportedly instrumental in Romeo Lavia’s decision to move from Anfield to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool spent much of the summer trying to sign Lavia. The Reds have rejected several offers from Southampton who value the player at at least £50m. Chelsea stepped in and matched the asking price, agreeing to pay £53m initially, plus a further £5m in addition. Eventually Liverpool also received an offer which was accepted by the Saints and it was up to the player to decide.
Like Moises Caicedo, Lavia chose Chelsea and signed a seven-year contract. To throw even more salt on Liverpool’s wounds, it appears that old nemesis Hazard influenced his decision.
Athletic say Hazard spoke to his Belgian compatriot before the deal was finalised. Hazard reportedly reassured Lavia that Chelsea would be the right place for him and provided insight into what it was like to live near London.
Chelsea have released a short clip of Lavia talking to Hazard on the phone after revealing the midfielder. However, the first conversation between the pair is said to have occurred earlier.
This latest development will only infuriate Liverpool fans even more. Hazard was often at his best on the pitch when he played against the Reds. In his 18 games against Liverpool, he scored seven goals. Only against Arsenal did he score the same number of goals.
Lavia might still have opted for a move to Chelsea even without Hazard’s influence. After his official announcement, the 19-year-old gave three reasons why he moved to the Blues.
Lavia told the Chelsea website: “Three factors influenced my decision. The project and the ambitions of the club were decisive factors in my choice to join Chelsea, as was the history of the club.
“It’s really exciting to be part of this football club and to write a bit of history. I am really happy and proud. It is a privilege to wear this jersey.
“Most of the players we signed are players I’ve played against and I was like ‘Oooooof, these players are good’, so it’s a great feeling to be able to work with them.” They are young and good players, so it’s nice to improve each other. This is the only way to be successful.”
After the 1-1 tie at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made fun of Chelsea.
Since quite some time, Ryan Gravenberch’s name has been linked to a move to Liverpool, and several journalists have reported that the player is eager to make the switch to Anfield.
