Liverpool’s midfield has been identified as a problem area but they may have an even more glaring issue to deal with.
Liverpool’s need for midfield reinforcements is well-publicised by now but manager Jurgen Klopp is battling another issue, in that he could be left short of homegrown players for next season. At least eight out of every 25-man Premier League squad have to meet ‘homegrown’ criteria and although the Reds would just about meet the threshold for next season as things stand, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain approaching the end of their respective contracts could leave Klopp in a sticky situation. Express Sport looks at four players Liverpool could turn to, to put things right…
Jude Bellingham
Fortunately for Klopp, a player that counts as homegrown just so happens to be his top transfer target. Although Bellingham has earned his living with German giants Borussia Dortmund since 2020, he qualifies for the quota having risen through the ranks with Birmingham City.
Klopp has already made his admiration for the 19-year-old public and Reds supporters will naturally have taken the positive signs out of his close relationship with Jordan Henderson while on England duty, but Liverpool will likely have to cough up more than £100million to get the deal done and fend off competition from the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Another player that could help Liverpool fill their homegrown quota and simultaneously bolster their midfield options, Dewsbury-Hall has been one of Leicester City’s standout performers during a tricky campaign for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
