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.
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.
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.
Llorente is valued at around €35m on Transfermarkt.
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Liverpool have been put up for sale by Fenway Sports Group – though Jurgen Klopp's agent has denied that the manager could also be leaving Merseyside.
The Reds look like they'll be busy in January to correct this season's tough start. Two midfielders could join in January, with a whopping eight potentially joining in the next two windows. Son Heung-min has been linked, as has Benfica youngster Antonio Silva, while Youssoufa Moukoko has admirers on Merseyside, too.
Meanwhile, Klopp has hailed Mohamed Salah as "one of the best you've ever seen" and Anfield legend Robbie Fowler has encouraged fans to back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
