Following the summer exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, the necessity for a holding midfielder presented itself. In came Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, who had been utilised further forward prior to his move, and a then relatively unknown Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.
Despite some doubts initially raised, the pair have both performed to a very high standard when asked to perform the role, helping Liverpool to currently sit top of the league and still competing in all cup competitions.
However, with Endo expected to be out until mid-February at the Asian Cup, would it make sense for Liverpool to bring in another midfielder this month to bolster the squad?
On our Transfer Insight show, Daily Mail Merseyside football reporter, Lewis Steele, had his say on whether targeting a defensive midfielder is still a priority for the Reds.
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Are Liverpool still interested in signing a defensive midfielder?
“I’m 99.9% sure there’s not going to be a midfield arrival this window.
“Andre was a name that they definitely wanted in the summer. Fluminense’s President went on record and said that they’d made contact so Liverpool were clearly in discussions to sign him then.
“But it seems to have gone quiet now and Liverpool have pretty much said they’re not in the running for him as most places have reported. So, I don’t think that one will happen.
“I know lots of other Premier League teams are interested in him. There could be a snowball effect where if Man City were to come in for him Liverpool might think, hang on, we don’t want him going there. But I think that’s very unlikely as well.
“Obviously Palhinha at Fulham has been talked about a lot as well, but he just doesn’t fit the age. He’s a very good player but £70 million for a 28-year-old just doesn’t make sense for Liverpool.”
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Redmen Reacts
Following the departure of so many notable midfielders in the summer, the midfield was a huge area of concern. But with the likes of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Endo all settling in very well, and Jones and Elliot also performing to a higher standard this season, all of a sudden the midfield doesn’t feel like an area of concern.
That’s not to say another body brought in would be unwelcomed, but it would certainly be a luxury rather than a necessity.
Any incomings this month whatsoever would be a surprise, but you’d imagine if Klopp’s side were to pull the trigger on anyone in January, it’d be on a defender.
However, with reports suggesting Andre could be available for around £30million after he expressed his desire to play in the Premier League, maybe there will be room for the Reds to come back to this one in the summer.
