Liverpool’s focus is fixated on Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham, and the reasons are beyond obvious.
The 19-year-old is wise beyond his years and will be a mainstay in any club’s midfield for the long term as he quickly elevates himself into a prestigious list of best players in the world.
An overhaul is imminent for the Anfield-based club, but will their revamp involve the English starlet given his high valuation, Paul Joyce has discussed for The Times.
Other midfielders are reported to also be on Liverpool’s midfield radar as they enter the summer window trophyless and in dire need of change.
Mason Mount, Moises Caicedo, Matheus Nunes, Alexis Mac Allister, Gavi, and Nicolo Barella to name a few.
The price tag that comes along with the world-beating performances would be mouth-watering, though, and for a team that have shown reservations in their spending, the fear that another club will outbid them is growing.
Klopp’s midfield has come under scrutiny for its lacklustre showings, and so a singular incoming would be pretty bad planning for a team looking to achieve the heights of previous years.
The Reds have been a victim to bad planning as they were left exposed in 20/21 when they failed to replace Dejan Lovren on his departure.
Their centre-back options in Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez then hindered their title defence which left Klopp regretting not ironing out a plan B.
Therefore, spending £100m on Bellingham when there are more voids to fill may be a short-term solution to a long-term issue they have.
Mason Mount would cost a cut of the price, and Liverpool would still have an excellent midfield in their roster.
Their list of outgoings also seems to be growing, which further exacerbates the necessity of more than one midfield acquisition.
Should the outgoings come into fruition, Klopp can spin this into a positive to offset the extra spending required to keep him and his boss’ happy with the club’s spending.
If Klopp – and FSG – feel that the resource is there to sign both Bellingham and another midfield to be used in a squad depth capacity, then it would be wise to gun down on the Dortmund midfielder to the very end.
What is clear is that the club’s owners, FSG, are willing to restore the club’s standing, regardless of the status of the incomings.
But, the club’s higher-ups need to ensure they don’t fall into the trap of placing all their eggs in one basket and leaving the whole midfield department scarce of options.
