Getty ImagesNow that Jurgen Klopp has stated that Liverpool need a midfielder before the transfer window closes, his scouting department will have provided a list of targets who fit the profile of age, suitability to the playing style, and potential availability.
GOAL have cast our eye across some midfielders, and their numbers, who Liverpool could sign before next Thursday.
Getty ImagesNow that Manchester United have bought Casemiro and continue to pursue Antony, and Chelsea seem set to go deep for Anthony Gordon, a move for de Jong suddenly doesn't as far fetched as it did last week. An expert passer, who is brilliant at driving the ball forward and excellent at winning it back - Xavi has even deployed him as a centre-back in recent weeks because of this ability.
It is believed a fee of around £72 million could secure a player Barcelona are happy to let go to find their curious rebuild. Liverpool have a good relationship with the club and can offer the Champions League football he craves.
League appearances 2021/22: 32
Pass accuracy: 91%
Dribble success rate: 85%
Total duels won: 63%
Goals: 3
Assists: 3
Getty ImagesNow this is probably a transfer saga for next summer, but there is always a chance that Liverpool could pull the trigger this season. He was recently named in 10-man shortlist for the 2022 Kopa Trophy, the best player under the age of 21 and in March was named NXGN's player of the year.
Bellingham has regularly performed in the big games. When Manchester City visited the Signal Indua Park in 2021, he showed what he was made of with a wonderfully taken goal to put Dortmund in the lead, and he showed his ability to be a leader during his post-match interview after Dortmund lost 4-2 to Rangers. He spoke like a player far beyond his years, and showed he is not scared of letting people know how he feels.
League appearances 2021/22: 32
Pass accuracy: 84%
Dribble success rate: 57%
Total duels won: 51%
Goals: 3
Assists: 8
Getty ImagesThe Croatian international is the type of midfielder that would fit the profile on Merseyside, known for his passing, tackling, intelligent running and stamina. He can play at the base of midfield as well as box-to-box and his versatility could be key.
Last term he was named as Serie A midfielder of the season. Brozovic was close to leaving Inter in 2018 before manager at the time Luciano Spalletti chose to play him deeper in a match vs Napoli, a role in which he excelled. Since then he has been a mainstay in the Inter squad, and has performed consistently at an extremely high level.
League appearances 2021/22: 35
Pass accuracy: 93%
Dribble success rate: 76%
Total duels won: 54%
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
GettyA relative unknown in terms of name in world football, but a player who no doubt fits the mould of a Liverpool signing. The Croatian international likes to play further forward in the midfield, scoring eight goals in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.
He also impressed in a pre-season friendly between the two sides, testing Adrian with a strike from 20-yards out and showcasing his attacking threat.
League appearances 2021/22: 28
Pass accuracy: 79%
Dribble success rate: 61%
Total duels won: 47%
Goals: 8
Assists: 3
Getty ImagesThe La Masia graduate plays with close control and has excellent anticipation as well as world-class passing and dribbling ability.
Playing off the left side of a midfield three, Gavi can be compared to current Liverpool player Thiago Alcantara, and only has 12 months remaining on his contract. Barcelona may have no choice but to cash in on the youngster now instead of losing him for free next summer
Gavi's best display to date came in the Nations League 2022. The midfielder scored his first international goal, making him Spain's youngest ever goalscorer, and exerted control over the game.
League appearances 2021/22: 34
Pass accuracy: 89%
Dribble success rate: 62%
Total duels won: 49%
Goals: 2
Assists: 5
Getty ImagesLiverpool's biggest weakness in the midfield could arguably be creativity and Nicolo Barella would solve this. Last season the Italian scored three goals and assisted 12 in the league as Inter Milan secured Champions League football for the second season in a row.
He operates mainly on the right side of central midfield, the space he would most likely occupy should he sign for the Reds. La Gazzetta dello Sport once called him the 'Sardinian Steven Gerrard' - Barella posses all the attributes of a classic box-to-box midfielder, and would slot perfectly into the engine-room at Anfield.
Barella thrust himself into the international limelight as he played six games at the heart of the Italian midfield as they stormed their way to European Championship success in 2021. He registered two assists and scored a goal in the tournament playing a crucial role alongside Marco Verratti. It completed a stunning campaign for him personally, as he was named Serie A midfielder of the season in Inter Milan's first title win for over a decade.
League appearances 2021/22: 36
Pass accuracy: 85%
Dribble success rate: 58%
Total duels won: 55%
Goals: 3
Assists: 12
Getty ImagesAn all action midfielder, Caicedo encompasses Klopp's philosophy of heavy metal football and counter pressing and has fine-tuned this element of his game under Graham Potter. So far this season Caicedo has won 5.3 duels on average per 90 (57%). The total number of duels won is far higher than any other player on this list, proving his ability to ft in with Liverpool's high-pressing midfield.
Brighton is an incredibly well run club who will have a price in mind, and also a likely replacement lined up such is the quality of their own scouting department.
League appearances 2021/22: 8
Pass accuracy: 82%
Dribble success rate: 70%
Total duels won: 58%
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
