Liverpool scouting PL midfield star with stellar dead ball abilities

Liverpool scout James Ward-Prowse ahead of a potential summer move

As per Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have scouted Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse ahead of a potential move in the summer window.

The England international signed a new five-year contract with the Saints back in 2021 worth £100k per week

Liverpool were interested in signing him that year too but did not make a move. Southampton rejected Aston Villa’s bid at the time too (Goal, h/t Liverpool Echo).

Though the Saints would want to keep their talismanic midfielder for as long as possible, he could be on the move if they go down from the Premier League this season.

In one of the most competitive relegation fights of all time, Southampton find themselves bottom of the table, but only two points behind 17th-placed Leicester City.

The report has revealed that Ward-Prowse would be available for £40m if the south coast club goes down in May.

It is not a secret that Liverpool will be looking to make additions to the midfield department this summer. Jude Bellingham is the primary target but the Reds need more than one signing.

As good as Ward-Prowse is in dead-ball situations (in fact he is one of the best in the world at that), his general game may not suit the way Liverpool plays under Jurgen Klopp.

The German wants his midfielders to be secured in possession and have the intensity to close people down and almost suffocate them into losing the ball. He also wants his midfielders to be tactically disciplined because the fullbacks join the attacks and the spaces left need to be covered in defensive transitions.

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Ward-Prowse is an excellent passer of the ball, but does his ball recovery suits the way Klopp wants his midfielder to be? There is a massive doubt about that.

So, instead of spending the money to sign the 28-year-old, Liverpool can do better in the market of signing midfielders.