Ancelotti gripe gifts Liverpool chance to sign Real Madrid star ‘Jurgen Klopp loves’
Liverpool reportedly have a strong chance of bolstering their midfield options with Real Madrid open to the sale of a player much admired by Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are yet to settle on their best midfield this season, with Fabinho, Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all rotating roles. They looked to have found the answer in young Harvey Elliott, but a cruel injury at Leeds put those plans on hold. Truth be told, the Reds are yet to truly replace Georginio Wijnaldum, who departed on a free transfer last summer.
However, according to El Nacional, Liverpool could soon find an answer in the form of Los Blancos star Federico Valverde.
The Uruguayan has slipped down the Real midfield pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti. Indeed, the summer signing of Eduardo Camavinga means that Valverde is no longer even fourth choice at the Bernabeu.
Indeed, with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro at his disposal, reports in Spain claim Valverde could be sacrificed.
Furthermore, Real are actively trying to trim down their squad and move along a number of unwanted stars. To that end, a report on Saturday claimed a number of high-profile stars will be allowed to leave.
As such, El Nacional reckons there is a strong chance Liverpool could come calling for Valverde. The report that the tigerish midfielder has characteristics that Klopp ‘loves’ and he would ‘relish’ the chance to bring him to Anfield.
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The 23-year-old would likely command a fee in the region £51.2m (€60m) so would not come cheap.
However, the 35-times capped star offers qualities that few other Reds stars offer and is something of a master of the dark arts. Liverpool’s midfield has lacked a little bit of cunning and know-how since Wijnaldum left.
And the report claims Valverde could push to leave in January after becoming frustrated by a lack of faith from Ancelotti.
Valverde comments point to Liverpool affection
It seems the prospective move would also be of interest to the midfielder.
He has previously admitted his admiration for the Reds and the spine-tingling atmosphere at Anfield.
Speaking back in April and prior to their Champions League quarter-final second-leg, Valverde revealed a soft spot for Liverpool.
“Uruguayans tend to support the team that has a Uruguayan in it,” Valverde said.
“At that moment, because Luis was at Liverpool, we supported Luis. I wanted things to go well for him, I will always do that with a team that has a Uruguayan.
“It happens with [Edinson] Cavani at Manchester United now too. I want United to win and for him to score goals. That year pretty much the whole country supported Liverpool.”
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