Liverpool fans have every right to be excited about next season when Naby Keita will join the Merseysiders after illuminating Bundesliga with RB Leipzig but the obvious egress of Emre Can will leave a void in midfield at the same time. Liverpool decided not to match his entourage’s demand of inserting a release clause in his new deal and the disagreement will see the German panzer leave for Juventus on a Bosman transfer. Keita, despite known for his midfield masterclass, is different to Can’s style of play and should not be considered as his direct replacement. As a result, Jurgen Klopp might have to dive in the transfer market for another midfield general who will build the game up from a deeper midfield role.
If reports are believed to be true, Liverpool have started weighing up options and are monitoring Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama who has lost his first-team slot under Mauricio Pochettino since returning from a knee injury. The 26-year-old Kenyan international has seen his game-time being limited to domestic Cup tournaments and few minutes from the bench in the prestigious Premier League and Champions League competitions. He has slipped down the pecking order behind magnificent Mousa Dembele, emerging Eric Dier and also an average Moussa Sissoko thus might explore new opportunities and end up elsewhere in search of a more instrumental squad role.
Liverpool have the likes of skipper Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum who are capable of occupying a central midfield role but not accustomed to a defensive midfield slot with a destructive approach to the game. Can is utilized to a similar role to some extent, particularly after Lucas Leiva’s exit which implies Klopp’s disinterest in playing a midfield blocker.
Liverpool defence and custodians have often been criticized for conceding way too many goals but they felt the absence of a defensive medio at times who could have prevented them from being exposed at the back on a number of occasions. Wanyama will bring exactly what they have been lacking and screen the backline with his routine expertise.
Wanyama, who had an impressive spell at St. Mary’s under Mauricio Pochettino, reunited with the former Southampton boss last season and instantly earned a place in the starting XI. But a major knee injury forced him to spend over four months time on the sidelines and has now lost his first-team status for the North London giants. Although it is unclear whether Spurs will allow someone of Wanyama’s ability to join a ‘top six’ rival, an offer from Liverpool should be enticing for the Kenyan skipper where he will reunite with several of his former Southampton teammates.
Liverpool were desperate to replace Can with Schalke’s Leon Goretzka but admitted defeat to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munchen who signed in the German international on a Bosman deal. The Reds are also rumoured to have inquired about Leicester City’s Wilfried Ndidi which implies their resolution of bringing in another midfielder who will replace Emre Can once he leaves for Juventus.
