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Jurgen Klopp speaks about Liverpool’s midfield situation.
In light of the dearth of players in the centre of the pitch, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated that summer signing Alexis Mac Allister has the skills to play in a deeper midfield position.
Since the end of the previous season, the Reds’ midfield has been completely ravaged. As unrestricted free agents, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita all departed the club. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were later sold to Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq, respectively.
Despite costing more than £100 million combined, neither Mac Allister nor Dominik Szoboszlai is regarded as a defensive midfielder.
Due to ongoing construction at Anfield, Klopp set up his players in a 4-2-3-1 system for Monday’s preseason victory over Darmstadt at Preston’s Deepdale. Mac Allister was asked to play in the ‘number six’ position for the first time.
“We have to try it and test a couple of different things,” the boss explained, although he is only willing to use that option in certain circumstances.
“Yes, in a compact formation, Alexis can definitely play there. If he’s there alone, should he play there? No. But now he showed just how good a footballer he is and how good he understands the game because he played there now [for] the first time, for us at least, and he did really well.”
Liverpool is still interested in Southampton’s Romeo Lavia as a potential solution to their problems. Three offers—the first at £35 million, the second at £42 million, and the third at £45 million—have previously been turned down for the 19-year-old. Southampton has reportedly demanded £50 million throughout.
The Reds are also keeping an eye on Andre Trindade, a 22-year-old midfielder for Fluminense.