Barcelona plot damaging raid of familiar Liverpool star as Klopp stands to lose another big name

Barcelona are reportedly keen on re-signing Thiago Alcantara, in what might be the latest in a line of Liverpool midfielder exits at Anfield this summer.

A lot has been made of the substandard performances of the Reds’ midfield last season. For a portion of the campaign, a lot of the side’s players did not pull their weight.

But for most, it was the midfield that stood out as the weak link. Jurgen Klopp has clearly recognised that, as he’s signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, in order to enhance that area of the pitch.

Liverpool have also lost fringe midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner. They might be set to lose out on some more important midfielders, too.

Spanish outlet Sport reports Barcelona are interested in re-signing Thiago, who played for them in the early portion of his career, before moving to Bayern Munich in 2013.

It’s believed Liverpool would be willing to listen to suitable offers, though they don’t want to see him go. That they have signed two midfielders already, though, means the exit is apparently ‘not ruled out’.

However, there’s a chance the Reds’ entire midfield is gutted this summer. Thiago leaving would be damaging on its own, in that when he first joined, he was one of the first names on the teamsheet, and is obviously still a useful player when fit.

But along with exits of some of his midfield colleagues, it becomes all the more damaging for Liverpool.

Indeed, Jordan Henderson has apparently accepted an approach from Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, with Liverpool giving it the green light, too.

There’s also reported interest from Saudi Arabia in Fabinho, from Al Ittihad, which could raise £40million.

If each of Thiago, Fabinho and Henderson are to leave, alongside the exits that have already occurred, that would mean six midfielders leave Anfield this summer, along with Fabio Carvalho on loan.

That leaves the Reds very thin in the midfield region. Of course, they’d then look for reinforcements – they’ll raise money from some of the exits, and some of that will likely go towards Romeo Lavia, who’s a major target.

However, losing six or seven players from the same area of the pitch in one window seems a recipe for disaster, whether or not they’re replaced quickly.

It remains to be seen whether Thiago, or his midfield colleagues, do leave the club this summer, but it seems an uphill battle from that point if it does happen.

READ MORE: Liverpool captain the GAME CHANGER on Saudi Arabia (if you forget Benzema and Neves)