Liverpool midfielder leaves the club on permanent transfer

Liverpool youngster Jake Cain has left the Reds after a 12-year association with the Premier League club.

The midfielder, 21, has signed for League Two side Swindon Town on a permanent deal, bringing an end to his time at Liverpool which began at the age of nine.

Cain progressed through the ranks in the academy and was part of the team that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2019.

He eventually made his senior debut with a start in the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Shrewsbury Town at Anfield back in February 2020.

But following a loan spell in 2021-22, Jurgen Klopp has made the decision to let him leave permanently.

Liverpool's midfield problems

Klopp's midfield has been regularly criticised this season, with the likes of Fabinho failing to reach the standards set last year. Whilst a plague of injuries has hindered the team.

A 3-0 defeat to Brighton on the weekend has only added to supporters' concerns, with the club now 10 points off the Champions League places.

As a result, the Reds have been linked with a variety of central midfielders, most notably in the shape of Jude Bellingham, who shone on the world stage in Qatar.

Bellingham is still under contract at Borussia Dortmund, but it seems unlikely the Bundesliga club will be able to hold on to him with Europe's top clubs sniffing around.

Liverpool are thought to remain the front runners for his signature, with Bellingham's father thought to favour a move to Anfield.

Teun Koopmeiners, Moises Caicedo and Matheus Nunes are among others who have been rumoured with a move to Liverpool. However, Cody Gakpo remains Klopp's only signing of the window so far.