Jurgen Klopp turns to former target with £35m exit clause to help bolster decimated Liverpool midfield
Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.
The Reds have had a relatively quiet window in terms of incomings, with only Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay brought in, while several fringe first-teamers, along with Sadio Mane, has been allowed to move on.
But Jurgen Klopp’s midfield has been hit hard by injuries at the start of the new Premier League campaign.
Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all currently on the sidelines. And that has left Klopp admitting that a new addition could be on the cards before the window shuts on Thursday.
Speaking prior to the 9-0 rout of Bournemouth on Saturday, the German said: “I know we have had this discussion since it all started and I am the one who said we don’t need a midfielder and you were all right and I was wrong.
“That’s the situation. There is really nothing more to say about it. We are looking for it, and if it is the right player we need him and if it is not the right player we don’t need him.”
A few names have been mooted as potential Reds signings, but they appear unrealistic at this stage.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham is chief among them, but the German side will not business until next summer.
Wolves star Ruben Neves has also been linked with an Anfield switch for some time. However, the Molineux outfit are playing hardball and want as much as £70million for the Portugal international.
That leaves Liverpool looking at cheaper and more available options, which is where Berge fits in.
The Yorkshire Post claims that the Norway international is under consideration from Anfield chiefs, as he has been before.
Berge release clause tempting for Liverpool
The 24-year-old has continually impressed for the Blades ever since arriving in January 2020. And despite their relegation, he still has a number of top-flight clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
It’s claimed that Berge has a release clause of £35m in his current contract. That makes him a considerably cheaper option than both Bellingham and Neves.
Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom recently claimed that speculation over Berge’s future had died down, after previous interest.
He said last week: “Early on there was a lot of noise and bids but then it’s gone quiet. Which is great for me personally. Sander’s in the thick of it but he’s been performing and training well. He’s a good lad, he’s driven and he knows the situation.
“Everything’s been done properly so there’s no surprises, nothing’s jumping out the woodwork and hopefully nothing does.”
Berge would certainly give Liverpool a more creative presence in the middle of the park, something that has been missing since Thiago’s injury.
However, Harvey Elliott arguably had his best game in a Reds shirt in the 9-0 thumping of Bournemouth.
The former Fulham man scored his first Premier League goal for the club as Klopp’s men bounced back from their loss at Manchester United in some style.
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