Baada ya kumkosa Bellingham je hawa hapa wanatufa? This is Anfield.
1)Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher hasn’t played enough minutes at Chelsea this season, so this is his profile from his breakout loan at Crystal Palace.
He is a ball-carrier – though he could improve his protection of the ball – and an excellent disrupter of opposition attacks.
Gallagher can also contribute further forward, regularly receiving the ball in the box and creating a high number of shots.
His link-up play is poor, which would present a problem when breaking down low blocks.
But to add mobility, energy and intensity to the midfield, Gallagher is a perfect fit.
2) Mason Mount.
Mason Mount‘s numbers confirm what we’ve seen: he’s a dynamic, creative player, excellent at defending opposition attacks, as well as retaining and progressing the ball.
These numbers are from Mount’s time as a No. 10 rather than a No. 8, which skews the data slightly – we’ve seen him carry the ball much more frequently than his profile suggests – but he’s clearly a superb talent and a strong fit for Liverpool’s midfield box
3) Matheus Nunes
Wolves‘ Matheus Nunes has been used in multiple positions under multiple managers, so his data set for central midfield is smaller.
But it’s still clear why we’re keen: he’s an above-average ball-retainer and link player, with a Naby Keita-esque penchant for dribbling.
His relatively low defensive intensity means he’d need coaching in a more aggressive pressing style, though his defensive impact rating suggests he would adapt well.
Nunes’ attacking instincts may need to be curbed to play a more disciplined midfield role in Klopp’s system – though his rocket right boot is a bonus.
4)Moises Caicedo.
The majority of his minutes have come as a defensive midfielder, but this is a natural home for his gifts.
The Ecuadoran simply does not lose the ball, with an excellent ability to link play for good measure. He’s also a frequent and quality stopper of opposition moves.
His ability to replicate Fabinho‘s passing from deep needs to improve, although if he plays in his familiar double pivot role – possibly alongside an inverted Trent Alexander-Arnold – we know he can break lines of pressure and unleash his creative colleagues.
5)Alexis Mac Allister.
The second of Brighton‘s double sixes is an elite out-of-possession midfielder who also has fantastic ball retention from both passing and dribbling.
Add in his impressive attacking metrics from a defensive midfield position and the World Cup winner is the only option who might legitimately be a Bellingham upgrade, at least in the numbers.
Combined with the eye test, this makes Mac Allister’s appearance on Liverpool’s radar tremendously exciting.
6)Nicolo Barella
Nicolo Barella has pedigree with several years in the Champions League and a Scudetto from 2021.
Crucially, his ball retention and defensive impact are both above average, while his progressive passing rating is superb.
But there’s something underwhelming about the overall profile considering he’s a joy to watch and theoretically the most proven commodity on the list.
He should succeed at Liverpool, but Barella is probably a weapon in the arsenal rather than a silver bullet.
7) Ryan Gravenberch.
Former Ajax wonderkid Ryan Gravenberch has struggled to make an impact at Bayern Munich, opening the possibility of a move to Anfield.
With stats from his last season in the Eredivisie adjusted for Premier League standard, we can see that he is a frequent dribbler and link-up player, and his ball retention suggests he’s very good at both.
His defending metrics are only slightly above average, so an adjustment period would be required, while his receptions in the box suggest he’s yet another midfielder who likes to contribute to the attack.
Still a young player and potentially available for a bargain price, Gravenberch would be an excellent mid-term project to complement a more first-team-ready option.
My take, Klopp atue mazima kwa Barella na Gravenberch wa Bayern ... Squad player atue kwa Sander Bagger pale Blades.
YNWA