Despite an overhaul in the engine room last year, the Reds still look at top defensive midfielder short of having a full revamp.
It had seemed as though this was about to be rectified, with Liverpool trying to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Liverpool insist that Zubimendi gave them a yes, but the Spaniard soon reversed his decision and will now stay with his hometown club.
As a result, Liverpool are back to square one. With Arne Slot clearly having identified the lack of a proper holding player as a weakness within the first-team squad, though, they surely have to do something.
Alan Varela (FC Porto), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP) seen during the Taca de Portugal 2024 final game between FC Porto and Sporting CP (2:1) at Es...
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Liverpool urged to go for Alan Varela
For what Slot is trying to do with his midfield, it had felt as though Zubimendi would have been ideal for Liverpool.
However, the Euro 2024 winner is not the only player who could fit into the head coach’s system.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
After he rejected them, it has been claimed that Liverpool will not target a Zubimendi alternative. But this would be a quite blatant mistake and a huge risk from the Reds.
Instead, they have to get back into the market and pick from their list of wider targets.
According to broadcaster and commentator Kevin Hatchard, Porto midfielder Alan Varela simply has to be on that list. Speaking to The Redmen TV, Hatchard says Varela ‘screams out’ as a Liverpool midfielder.
“Alan Varela I think is an interesting option because Liverpool have looked at him for a long time,” he says. “They were looking at him before he even went to Porto we’re led to believe.
“So, that’s a name that does scream out and he is a guy that, yes, he does the defensive midfield part of it in terms of breaking up play, he’s a good passer of the ball, he brings the ball forward and he does have that technical quality that you’re looking for.
“Not, for me, Zubimendi level but good and improving and young and I think he has toughened up under Sergio Conceicao,” Hatchard adds. “Anyone who’s played for him you learn that uber competitiveness and I think that really helps.”
Could Liverpool sign Alan Varela?
Although Liverpool are seemingly insistent that they will not move on to another target, it seems at least possible that they are assessing anything else they can do.
It is a bizarre stance to have only had one player on the list for a position that Slot has earmarked as being the most in need of improvement.
No less, the player they did decide to go for had a long history of rejecting other, top clubs. There has to have been a second choice.
If there was, then Varela would be a good bet to be that guy. The Porto player had a super first season after arriving from Boca Juniors and it was claimed that Liverpool would push to sign Varela earlier in the summer.
We have seen the Reds take these kinds of gambles with their squad in the past, so we wouldn’t be surprised if no one comes through the door. But Varela is right there and ready for the next step.
0 Comments