Klopp creates ‘nine-man shortlist’ of Liverpool targets ahead of £52m double transfer
Jurgen Klopp has compiled a list of nine players that he wants Liverpool to consider signing as they look to replace Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
The Reds made two early signings this summer with Alexis Mac Allister arriving from Brighton for £35m and Dominik Szoboszlai joining the Premier League club from RB Leipzig for £60m.
But the imminent departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia has thrown a spanner in the works with Klopp now potentially needing at least two more midfielders.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed Henderson’s £12m move to join former team-mate Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq is “done” with just some final bits of paperwork to sort out
On Fabinho, Romano added that ‘the Brazilian midfielder has already agreed terms and the clubs remain in contact discussing key details of the proposal’ with claims the fee will be around £40m.
Liverpool have already allowed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita to leave Anfield on free transfers this summer and now The Sun claims Klopp has created a ‘nine-man shortlist of potential midfield targets’.
The Sun name Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch, Kalvin Phillips and Romeo Lavia as the original four from Klopp’s first shortlist before Henderson and Fabinho looked likely to leave.
And now he has reportedly added Moises Caicedo, Cheick Doucoure, Aurelien Tchouameni, Joao Palhinha and Khephren Thuram as possible summer targets.
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique thinks the Reds should turn to Gravenberch or Lavia to replace the potential loss of Fabinho.
Enrique told Grosvenor Sport: “I think it will be a mistake for Liverpool to let Henderson go and they need to rebuild. It all depends on the back-up options they are going to sign if Fabinho and Henderson leave.
“Who they bring in will determine whether or not it is a mistake to let them go and it will be interesting to see if they go with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, I love them but they are too young to get Liverpool competing for trophies again. But if they go into the market they have to make sure they get the right replacements.
“I believe they need another player there anyway because Stefan Bajcetic is just coming back from injury and we’ll have to see how he does. I love him as a player but after a big injury you don’t know if he is going to be the same, hopefully he is, but they definitely need another player there.
“I love Romeo Lavia from Southampton. It depends on the fee but I love him because he’s a Liverpool kind of signing; he’s a 19-year-old, very young but already has lots of experience.
“Sofyan Amrabat is in the same position but it is a different signing for Liverpool because he is older so I would rather go for someone like Ryan Gravenberch for example, he is a very good option. If Liverpool let Fabinho go then I would sign Romeo Lavia or Ryan Gravenberch.”
