Liverpool have been hit by yet another blow in their transfer ambition, when Reds former side Jurgen Klopp’s former side Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of Liverpool’s long-time target Mahmoud Dahoud from German side Borussia Monchengladbach.
Per the deal, it’s reported according to Skysports to be in the region of £10.3 million, which have come as a blow for Liverpool fans, who had seen their side get linked with the German for a lengthened period of time.
The midfield spot has been an ache in the backbone for Liverpool this season. Since Reds captain has been out due to long-time injury, their midfield have looked completely different. Reds alternative Emre Can is yet to adapt to operating as the deepest midfielder and with age catching up on Lucas Leiva, Liverpool look to be desperately in need of someone who can fill that spot.
The Reds manager is aware of the problem facing his side and have been linked with several reinforcements in the past few months, with Mahmoud Dahoud among them. However, with Syrian born German under-21 international joining Klopp’s former side, here are three alternatives Liverpool could bring to Anfield instead of the German.
Corentin Tolisso
The Olympique Lyon forward is a versatile operator, and one of the most talented French players to have come through in recent times. Tolisso has been part of the reason they Lyonnais find themselves at 4th position in the Ligue 1 table.
He is good with the ball at his feet as an all-round midfielder, having won 56% of his take-ons, and is equally brilliant with his distribution registering a record of 84% pass success rate. The 22-year-old is a force in the air as well, winning 47 headed duels this season in 24 appearances. For Lyon, he has bagged 6 goals and created 3 assists. Interestingly is that, he can operate as a right-back with equal comfort, making him a great option to have among the ranks.
His superb performances has seen him earned a call-up to the France national team and look destined for big things. The fact that he has excelled for a team finding it difficult to gain balance in terms of defence, makes one wonder what heights he can scale under the right mentorship. Jurgen Klopp will be able to make use of his talent at the Anfield.
Wylan Cyprien
The most underrated talent in the Ligue 1 this season, Cyprien has gone completely under the radar due to AS Monaco’s exploits in the Ligue 1. OGC Nice have beaten just twice in the French top division this season – against Caen and Monaco. Cyprien has been one of their main reason for such great exploits in the French division.
The 22-year-old has been productive for Nice. He has record of 89% passes this season and has won a superb 87% of his 63 take-on attempts. One Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta has surpass Cyprien this season and the youngster also brings in an added balance to the midfield with his tackling.
While it still unclear if he will be able to live to task in the Premier League, the yet to be call-up French international would be a right talent to have at the Anfield.
Naby Keita
22-year-old Guinea international has been performing wonders at the Bundesliga this season with his energetic performances in RB Leipzig’s midfield. Naby Keita has been the back-bone in the newly promoted German side amazing season that sees them sitting comfortably in the 2nd position in the Bundesliga table.
The Guinean displays has been compared to Chelsea’s and former EPL league winners Leicester City N’Golo Kante due to relentless work-rate in the midfield. It would be right to say that the Guinean is much better alternative than the Chelsea workhorse. He is has earned the second-most creative player with the German side this season, having seen created 6 assists for his teammates and bagged 4 goals. Keita has a brilliant 55% take-on success rate along with 57 interceptions from his 21 appearances for Leipzig this season.
There have been Liverpool’s reported interest in the Guinea international, but it’s also believed that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also interested in the Guinean. If Liverpool wants to abate such similar situation as Dahoud, they will need to act speedily in the market.
N.B – All player stats are taken from Squawka.com