Liverpool can sign Atletico Madrid star Marcos Llorente for a great price, given that the La Liga side need to raise capital
(Image credit: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool could make a move for Marcos Llorente of Atletico Madrid to strengthen their midfield.
Despite having Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho all as midfield options – not to mention on-loan Arthur Melo – Jurgen Klopp would like to strengthen the core of his side. Jude Bellingham is heavily rumoured as another target.
But now, Llorente – who scored twice to defeat the Reds in the 2019/20 Champions League Round of 16 – appears to be available, with Atletico in crisis.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has 10 options in midfield – but would love to strengthen nevertheless (Image credit: Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The Spanish outfit were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League without so much as the reprieve of Europa League football recently, finishing bottom of their group – and with Diego Simeone looking to offload players to remain competitive, Llorente could be sacrificed.
The Express says that Atletico will listen to offers for the Spain international, in who Liverpool have a historic interest. An extremely disciplined athlete who can offer physicality, security in possession and versatility to play anywhere from midfield to right-back or even up front, Llorente could help Klopp to instil some of the intensity that has been lacking from their play of late.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Atletico have placed Joao Felix, Thomas Lemar, Rodrigo de Paul and Yannick Carrasco on the transfer list. Apparently, the Colchoneros also need to jettison two stars in the January window.
Liverpool could, in which case, theoretically pursue a move for more than one Atletico misfit – though Llorente remains the most sensible fit.
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Atletico Madrid have had a testing season so far, finishing bottom of their Champions League group (Image credit: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Liverpool may well look to complete as much January business as they can, given their poor start to the season – but are likely to offload midfielders themselves.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
