Liverpool draw up four-man shortlist to improve midfield, including ex-Premier League star

Liverpool have drawn up a four-player shortlist to improve their midfield in the next two transfer windows, according to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti.

The midfield area has been a key area of focus this season, with the Reds suffering from a lack of form and injury issues.

A major problem, as identified by The Athletic's James Pearce, is Liverpool's inability to win aerial duels this season - prior to Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Brighton, they had won just 43 per cent of all duels - and have been conceding from more direct attacks, which has put the midfield under heavy scrutiny.

Reds legend Jamie Carragher has been amongst those to criticise Liverpool's transfer department for their inaction in signing new players for the centre of the pitch, with Thiago the only new addition in the last four-and-a-half years.

However, as per a new report, it appears that Jurgen Klopp's side are attempting to solve the problem.

Liverpool 'create four-midfielder shortlist'

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Galetti has claimed that the Reds are keeping an eye on four midfielders, including Jude Bellingham, and could make moves for them either in January or the summer transfer window.

One of the names is 28-year-old Napoli star Piotr Zielinski, a player for whom Liverpool had an £11.7 million bid turned down by Udinese in the summer of 2016.

The Polish box-to-box midfielder, who is comfortable in possession, has made 305 appearances for Napoli since joining the club in the same summer, scoring 43 goals.

They are also said to be interested in Fiorentina and Morocco star Sofyan Amrabat, 24, although French outlet Foot Mercato claim the midfielder prefers a move to Atletico Madrid.

Finally, the Reds are also keen on Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino, with the 26-year-old defensive midfielder having hugely impressed since moving to La Liga from Premier League side Newcastle in 2018

Speaking about the targets, Galetti explained: "There are other names on their list, including Amrabat, Merino and Zielinski.

"But especially these last two names are possible targets for the summer. In this case, the situation will be clearer in the next few days, so let's wait."