Transfer News: Liverpool not seeking direct replacement for outgoing Georginio Wijnaldum
According to the Belfast Telegraph (h/t The Express), Liverpool are not looking to sign a midfielder as a direct replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who is set to leave the club after not renewing his Anfield deal.
The Dutchman was Liverpool’s dependable man in the middle amidst an unprecedented injury crisis. While players were incurring fitness issues left and right, the 30-year-old managed to make 51 appearances for the Reds in all competitions.
But he is now tipped to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer as a free agent. There is surely a void to fill when a regular starter like that leaves the club suddenly.
However, the report mentions that the Reds are not seeking a replacement for him in the summer transfer window as Klopp is content with his options at the club. It remains to be seen if this is just Liverpool’s tactic of not giving too much information away about their potential targets.
Trusting the squad over signing new players?
It’s not like the Reds have not been linked with midfielders. Florian Neuhaus and Yves Bissouma are two names that have been linked with Liverpool.
It would not be the wisest decision to avoid signing a midfielder. Last season saw Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and even the dependable James Milner suffer from fitness issues.
Keita, in particular, has had a notorious injury record since his blockbuster £52million move to Anfield. In light of this, signing a midfielder seems necessary if the Reds are to aim for trophies on four fronts next season.
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Liverpool star Nat Phillips drops summer exit hint after breakthrough season
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Georginio Wijnaldum signs three-year deal with PSG, claims Fabrizio Romano
The one positive that could come out of this situation is the potential increase in game time for young Curtis Jones. The 20-year-old Scouser has already had a number of starts for the Reds and he could establish himself as a first-team player in the coming seasons.