Liverpool
Premier League • England
Klopp told Liverpool transfer target will be eaten alive, with several worrying deficiencies laid bare
Liverpool have been warned one potential answer to their midfield woes is lacking in a worryingly long list of areas.
The Reds look to have turned their ship around with three victories from their last three. The resurgence began against Rangers when Liverpool ran out 7-1 winners in a destructive display that offered a reminder about their attacking prowess.
Only two goals have been scored in their next two matches, though one apiece proved enough to pick up all three points against Man City and West Ham respectively.
A newfound defensive resilience, along with some timely heroics from Alisson Becker, have come at just the right time.
However, if Liverpool are to continue challenging for top honours deep into Jurgen Klopp’s stint, their midfield will require major surgery.
James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract next summer. Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson are both well into their 30s. The option on loanee Arthur Melo will reportedly not be taken up.
Jude Bellingham is in their crosshairs and a blockbuster deal in 2023 is their primary focus. However, even if the Reds are able to land Bellingham, he cannot be the only new arrival.
Aside from Bellingham, Liverpool have been heavily linked with plundering the Portuguese top flight once again.
Liverpool sizing up another Benfica raid
Signing Luis Diaz has proved a masterstroke, while Darwin Nunez is rounding into form nicely after a dubious start.
Benfica pair Enzo Fernandez and Florentino Luis have been touted as viable midfield additions. Portuguese outlet O Jogo recently claimed Liverpool are eyeing up the 23-year-old Luis.
He plays primarily in a defensive capacity in midfield and has featured in every game for Benfica this season, starting 16 of 18.
Luis is protected by a whopping €120million (£104million) release clause. However, it’s understood a deal can be made for far less than that amount.
But according to former Benfica left-back, Pedro Henriques, Liverpool would be wise to temper their expectations if moving for Luis.
Henriques works as a pundit for Portuguese broadcaster Sport TV. He played for Benfica between 1993-97 and in his view, Luis has too many holes in his game to warrant a move to Liverpool any time soon.
The pundit reckons Luis lacks the required intensity to thrive in a Klopp midfield. Furthermore, he stressed he must become stronger physically for the rough and tough Premier League.
Henriques did acknowledge there are no doubts as to the technical quality of the player, though whether he’s ready for Anfield is another matter entirely.
Florentino Luis “was being ‘eaten’ very easily”
“Florentino Luís was always a player of great quality,” said Henriques when responding to the Liverpool speculation (via Bancada). “[But] he was a player with little intensity in his game.
“Being a good player is not enough. You get to a level where you either have something else or you get eaten, and he was being ‘eaten’ very easily.”
Henriques continued: “With the print he has, he needed to be stronger in the head and more aggressive in the contact. Better in acceleration, in braking and these are things that [need] work.”
The pundit then claimed Luis is improving in the aforementioned areas, though “needs more” before a Liverpool deal becomes viable.
“Several factors came together here,” added Henriques. “The deficiencies that I had corrected and improved. [He] is not yet ready [for Liverpool]. He needs more.
“If he wants to play in England in his position, he has to be strong in the air, strong in contact.
“He is [getting] better but needs to improve even more.”