Liverpool transfer news: Kalvin Phillips snubbed as Reds pass on three ‘easy’ midfield targets with future plan set

Liverpool have reportedly passed on the opportunity to sign three midfielders from rival Premier League clubs as they plot a major move next summer instead.

The Reds have seemingly completed their business for the summer after bringing in Darwin Nunez from Benfica, Fabio Carvalho from Fulham and Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen.

However, a report in the Daily Express claims they could have landed three midfield targets, if it not for the fact they continue to have one eye on next summer and a deal for Jude Bellingham.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the Borussia Dortmund youngster. So much so that he prefers to wait another year and bring in the talented England man, rather than swoop for one of three established Premier League stars.

Dortmund, having already sold Erling Haaland to Manchester City, are reluctant to let Bellingham leave in the same window.

However, the landscape is likely to be completely different in 2023 and Liverpool are not keen on signing a stop-gap instead.

The three names mentioned in the report are Kalvin Phillips, Yves Bissouma and Youri Tielemans.

Leeds star Phillips is being touted for a move to Manchester City amongst others, while Bissouma is now at Tottenham. As for Tielemans, the Belgian remains a major Arsenal target, having been previously named as Gini Wijnaldum’s successor at Anfield.

The Express adds that deals for the trio were considered ‘relatively easy’ for the Reds to complete.

No compromise left Klopp focused on top targets

However, their desire not to compromise on their top targets means none of the trio were realistic options.

Klopp always wanted a new central striker, especially given Sadio Mane’s desire to join Bayern Munich. And in Nunez, he has a frontman more than capable of adapting to the Premier League quickly.

Carvalho is a versatile attacking threat who can play out wide or as a No.10. In some ways, he is similar to the player Liverpool are ready to sell to Monaco in Takumi Minamino.

As for Ramsay, the Scottish youngster has been brought in as the heir apparent to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

All three look set to have different roles under Klopp but are young enough to be around for years.

READ MORE: Insider reveals why Fabio Carvalho fits Liverpool style under Klopp ‘down to the bone’