By Dan Clubbe
So, the news every Liverpool fan had been dreading arrived this week as the Reds backed away from their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
Multiple reasons were cited but ultimately it boils down to the fact that a major summer rebuild is required of Jurgen Klopp’s side and the funds simply aren’t there to facilitate such an expensive outlay plus the other signings that are needed.
As such, it’s time to begin looking at some of the possible candidates to fill a Bellingham-shaped hole in our transfer lives.
“Liverpool’s Summer Now Needs To Be Perfect” – Neil Jones on LFC’s Bellingham Decision
Joao Palhinha
Undoubtedly enjoying a superb campaign at the heart of the Fulham midfield, the 27-year-old Portugal international has, much like the London club, taken many by surprise this season.
Signed from Sporting Lisbon for just £20million (Sky Sports), prizing the ace away should be an affordable possibility for the Reds.
However, at 27 and without a vast amount of elite-level European experience to call upon in the Champions League, it seems unlikely that Liverpool would turn to Palhinha to kick-start a new era at Anfield.
Ryan Gravenberch
A target for Liverpool prior to his switch from Ajax to Bayern Munich, the 20-year-old Dutchman is yet to complete 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
Albeit still under contract until 2027, the recent appointment of Thomas Tuchel could see a change of direction at the Allianz and as such, Klopp could well land a supremely talented youngster.
Conor Gallagher
Another name linked with a move to Merseyside of late, Gallagher would certainly tick boxes when it comes to the type of player required to reinvigorate a tired-looking Liverpool midfield.
Having spent a successful season on loan at Crystal Palace last term – scoring eight goals and providing five assists – the 23-year-old ace has struggled to recapture that form back at Chelsea.
Surprisingly, the midfielder who was hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by Tuchel is the closest match to Bellingham in terms of his traits and attributes (Fbref).
Manuel Ugarte
Just 22 years old and already an eight-cap Uruguay international. Ugarte is predominantly a defensive midfielder who has made 40 appearances across all competitions this season for Sporting Lisbon.
Holding a market value of €25million (£22million), Darwin Nunez’s compatriot would certainly represent a viable option for Liverpool this summer as an understudy and possible replacement for Fabinho is likely to be high on Klopp’s list of priorities.
Moises Caicedo
Similarly to Ugarte, Caicedo is a defensive-minded midfielder and would therefore be a welcome addition to the Anfield ranks.
Starring in a Brighton side that has taken the Premier League by storm this term, the 21-year-old Ecuadoran sensation recently signed a new deal with the south coast club amidst interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Enzo Le Fee
Recently a report from Football Transfers linked Enzo Le Fee with a move to L4 and although the 23-year-old Frenchman is enjoying a superb campaign in Ligue 1 for FC Lorient – scoring five times and providing five assists in 28 league outings – at a diminutive 5 foot 6, the attacking midfielder lacks in the physicality required and would instead add to the plethora of similar options at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal alongside Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho and Curtis Jones.
Ultimately, although Le Fee ranks closest to Bellingham when comparing attributes (Fbref), the €12million valued star doesn’t appear to be the answer to Liverpool’s significant midfield issues.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
One often linked with a switch to the Premier League, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has proven himself to be a high-level operator time and time again during his 332 appearances for Lazio.
During his time with the Italian club, the Serbia international has amassed 66 goals and 59 assists, proof of an unerring ability to impact matches and possibly evidence of why the Reds should be pushing to make this deal happen as suggested by Calciomercato.
However, despite also ranking among the players most like Bellingham in terms of attributes, holding a €60million market value at 28 years old, this isn’t a deal for the long-term for the Reds and albeit a requirement for instant resolutions is obvious, Liverpool simply wouldn’t be cutting their cloth accordingly by pursuing this possibility.
Who Are The Alternatives To Jude Bellingham?
Alexis Mac Allister
Heavily tipped with a move to L4 this summer, the Argentinian World Cup winner has certainly developed a reputation during his short time in the Premier League.
This season the 24-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions, proof of an ability to influence in the final third, a trait not commonly associated with Reds’ midfielders in recent seasons despite the overall success.
Capable of operating as an attacking midfielder, box-to-box player and in a more defensive role, Mac Allister could be the ideal option to bolster Klopp’s squad.
Gavi
Undoubtedly one of the finest talents in Europe right now, Gavi would represent an outstanding piece of business for whoever can prize him away from Barcelona amidst the ongoing contract dispute.
Capped 19 times by Spain despite his tender years, the technically gifted midfielder has already made 87 appearances for the Catalan giants.
A product of the famed La Masia academy, Gavi has been hailed as a ‘competitive animal’ by Sergio Busquets and can operate efficiently in both the attacking and defensive departments, making him perhaps the closest match to Bellingham in terms of age profile, ability, potential and what he offers a side.
Given the levels of uncertainty surrounding the 18-year-old’s future at the Camp Nou, this is a deal that Liverpool must be giving serious consideration towards.
Stanislav Lobotka
Another potential option from Italy now as according to Calciomercato again, Liverpool could also consider a move for Napoli ace and familiar foe, Stanislav Lobotka.
Also 28, the Slovakian is in his prime and has played 39 times this season for the runaway Serie A leaders, earning an impressive 7.09 Sofascore rating in the process – winning 2.3 tackles on average per 90 minutes.
Predominantly operating as a defensive midfielder, the Naples-based star would be more suited to replacing Fabinho as opposed to reinventing Klopp’s midfield.
Nicolo Barella
Like Lobotko, Nicolo Barella is well-known to Liverpool fans, having starred in the Champions League in recent years.
A 26-year-old midfield maestro, the 43-cap Italy star has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at domestic and international level following a move from Cagliari.
Valued at €70million and under contract until 2026 (Transfermarkt), Barella is unlikely to come cheap for FSG and given he remains one of the prized possessions at Inter, it seems as though this is a deal that would cost an almost equal amount to Bellingham and as such, there is little doubt as to the better option.
Gabri Veiga
Second to only former Liverpool forward Iago Aspas as Celta Vigo’s best player in 2022/23, Gabri Veiga has been linked to the Reds by ESPN recently.
Aged just 20, the talented Spaniard has nine goals and four assists in 30 La Liga outings this term, both whilst operating as an attacking midfielder as well as a central midfielder.
With ESPN also claiming that Newcastle United, Leeds United, AC Milan and Napoli are ‘closely following Veiga’s progress’, the Reds won’t find any pursuit easy but out of the possible options thus far it remains wholly plausible that Veiga is a viable option for the summer.
Mason Mount
Among the most popular and reported-on options, with 128 top-flight outings already under his belt, Mason Mount is Premier League proven and would prove an instant option in Klopp’s squad.
Despite not being as physically commanding as Bellingham, the Englishman has an abundance of endeavour and energy that would lend itself nicely to Liverpool’s style.
Already a proven winner during his time with Chelsea, the 24-year-old has a combined 70 direct goal contributions in 192 outings for the London club.
With contract negotiations seemingly at a standstill at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool could well swoop for the €65million valued man and whilst Bellingham would remain a preference to most if not all of the Anfield faithful, it would be a welcome boost.
Declan Rice
Perennially linked with a move away from West Ham, Declan Rice seems almost certain to leave the London Stadium this summer and Liverpool are one of the contenders to land the 24-year-old England bulwark.
Once labelled with a £150million price tag by manager David Moyes, the combative midfielder won’t be cheap for the Anfield club but given his fast approaching final 12 months of a deal in east London, it’s unlikely that the capital club will be able to demand a premium.
A key figure in for England – alongside Bellingham – Rice’s all-around ability to shore up a defence and move forwards in possession make him a genuine option should Liverpool’s priority target move elsewhere.
Standing above 6 foot tall, Rice certainly possesses the physical attributes to slot into Liverpool’s midfield whether it be a three or a double pivot – a role he has become accustomed to playing next to Tomas Soucek.
Redmen Opinion
For many Reds it was a case of Bellingham or bust and given the level of generational talent we are talking about, it’s easy to understand why that was the case.
But, there is unquestionably a host of additions needed to take Klopp’s side back to even being close to competing at the pinnacle again and although nobody knows for sure what exactly the budget is, clearly there was no room for a Jude-outlay plus the rest.
Therefore, we may have to get used to the prospect of one or more of the aforementioned players attempting to fill the void.
