Liverpool have their sights set on signing one of the Bundesliga’s highest regarded midfield prospects this summer, and it’s not Jude Bellingham.
Instead, they are tracking the situation of Borussia Monchengladbach star Florian Neuhaus, according to Fichajes.
The 25-year-old has established himself as one of Germany’s best central midfielders in recent seasons.
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Last term, he managed to contribute towards 8 Bundesliga goals for Gladbach, but it’s his work in deeper areas of the pitch which really catches the eye.
The names Liverpool have been linked with in recent days insinuate they are not looking for a new box-to-box midfielder, but a deep lying playmaker who can compete with Thiago.
Sporting star Matheus Nunes is of a similar profile. He has been linked with a move to Liverpool, and expects to see a move to the Premier League materialise this summer.
Links to players of such profiles are significant because they suggest they won’t impact Liverpool’s long-term pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
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Bellingham is an all-action midfielder who’d contribute both offensively and defensively to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool team.
He’d come in to play the role in the team currently occupied by an ageing Jordan Henderson, to the right of midfield pivot Fabinho.
Neuhaus isn’t the sort of player who’d be particularly well suited to such a role. He lacks the mobility.
Instead, Neuhaus is likely viewed as potential competition for Thiago Alcantara and an eventual successor.
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A player who can drop into deep areas of the pitch, collect the ball, and move it forward efficiently.
Liverpool’s engine room options aren’t getting younger, and a full-blown refresh of that area of the pitch will be needed at Anfield sooner rather than later.
And it’d be wise for Liverpool to get going with that refresh this summer.
That way, a new midfielder can bed himself into the Liverpool team, ready for the potential acquisition of Jude Bellingham next summer.
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Jürgen Klopp would be wise to be pining for the signing of either one of Neuhaus or Matheus Nunes this summer.
Robert Worthington