Gary Neville labels Liverpool midfield target as ‘generational talent’, with Reds ace also making three-man list

Gary Neville believes a midfielder Liverpool want to sign is a ‘generational talent’, while stars from the Reds and Manchester City also featured on his three-man list.

Liverpool have neglected their midfield for too long and this transfer failure is finally catching up with them. Fabinho is struggling to replicate his brilliant previous form, while the likes of Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all had injuries this season.

Thiago continues to make his midfield role look effortless, although he too was in the treatment room at the start of the campaign due to a hamstring problem.

Jurgen Klopp has had to use youngster Harvey Elliott in midfield regularly this term. And while the 19-year-old has done a good job, Klopp could probably do with one or two top midfielders arriving at Anfield to increase his options.

Liverpool did sign Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus on September 1. He managed just 13 minutes before picking up a thigh injury in training. And the loanee has had to have surgery on the issue, which means he will be out ‘long term’, according to Klopp.

The German manager says Liverpool will not cut his temporary transfer short in January. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if they changed their minds and did this, given how disastrous the signing has been.

The Anfield giants were heavily linked with several midfielders during the summer. These included Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Konrad Laimer.

Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, the club couldn’t pull any of these momentous transfers off. And this has contributed to the predicament Klopp is now in.

Liverpool still on Jude Bellingham trail

Liverpool maintain a strong interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Bellingham. They are expected to begin discussions over his possible signing in the new year.

Reports claim he could cost anywhere between £87m and £130m. Liverpool probably wouldn’t be able to afford the latter, so his move will largely depend on what fee Dortmund end up settling for.

One way Liverpool might be able to decrease the transfer fee is by including one of their own players in the deal. As per The Sun, Dortmund like the look of Tyler Morton.

During an appearance on Sky Sports, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has spoken about Bellingham and the players he deems to be ‘generational talents’.

Here is what the pundit had to say (via HITC): “What Jamie (Redknapp) says about a generational talent. I think Foden is that. I think Bellingham is that.

“And, to be fair, I know we talk about him a lot, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is that really.

“You look at him, in terms of what he is in his position, there is nothing like him in terms of his delivery.”

Neville is right – England have three ‘generational talents’

Neville is pretty much spot on here. Bellingham, at just 19 years old, is already one of Dortmund’s best players. And he has captained them in the Champions League too, which shows how highly they rate him.

The fact he is doing this at such a young age definitely puts him in the ‘generational talent’ bracket.

The same can be said for Foden. He is 22 and has already made 189 appearances for City, registering 53 goals and 36 assists. His electric attacking displays have helped City to win four Premier League titles.

Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion in the ‘generational talent’ category may receive more criticism than the other two. This is due to his defending this year, which has left a lot to be desired.

But you must also look at the right-back’s attacking influence. Along with Andy Robertson, he has effectively revolutionised how the full-back position is played.

And he has been contributing assists for Liverpool ever since the 2018-19 season, when he was just 20. Clearly, there is strong reason to suggest that Alexander-Arnold is a ‘generational’ player.

Meanwhile, Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims Liverpool are ahead of Arsenal in the hunt for a Bundesliga forward.