It would appear that Jordan Henderson will soon no longer be a Liverpool player. The England international has left their pre-season training camp after Daily Mail reporter Dominic King reported that the club has accepted a £12million bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, now managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, a long-term admirer of Henderson.
Henderson, who turned 33 on June 17th, is primed to sign a big-money contract worth a reported £700,000-a-week. Journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed yesterday that a three-year contract is on the table and that should be signed in the coming days.
With fellow midfielder Fabinho also set to link up with Henderson is the Saudi Pro League as well, it leaves Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp lighter in the central midfield area, and one which he needs to address. Alexis Mac Allister joining from Brighton & Hove Albion has eased that to a degree, and Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai is another option, although he prefers to play higher up the pitch.
It presents a question of who will Liverpool look to next to bolster their midfielder options. There have been a few names reported, particular in the wake of Henderson's impending departure from Anfield. Let's take a look at them now.
Contents
Liverpool midfielder target: Cheick Doucouré
The Daily Mail has also reported that Klopp is in the market for Doucouré, but will cost them around £70million if they're to sign him up. With two tenacious types in the form of Henderson and Fabinho set to seek pastures new, then adding someone in the shape of Doucouré really is a requirement before the new Premier League season begins.
Furthermore, with the versatile James Milner also no longer at the club, the team is really stretched in this area of the pitch. The Mali international, Doucouré, has only been with Palace for a season, but a string of impressive displays makes him the first name in Eagles boss Roy Hodgson's XI. He could take on the Fabinho role with ease.
Liverpool midfielder target: Sofyan Amrabat
The 26-year-old saw his stock go to another level following his impressive performances for an equally impressive Morocco side at the last World Cup. The Fiorentina man led his nation to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and his club Fiorentina have been batting off interest from top European clubs ever since.
He provides the rather unique blend of combining the type of characteristics Henderson and Fabinho have brought to the Liverpool team over the years. Amrabat is comfortable collecting the ball from deep and spraying possession, whilst he can drive forward on the ball as well. He'd likely be signed in a defensive capacity and protect the back four, but he'd be a big asset if they can sign him.
Liverpool midfielder target: Ryan Gravenberch
The Dutchman has struggled to make an impact since signing for Bayern Munich this time last year. Whilst he hasn't made the impact he'd have liked, a change in manager from the one which signed him is never ideal, and at 21 he still has his best years ahead of him. Clubs were queuing to sign him up from Ajax and he hasn't suddenly become a bad player.
Gravenberch tends to play a fairly slow-paced type of game on the ball, but if making the move to Liverpool he'd need to quickly get used to a ferocious tempo of play on and off the ball. Bayern would likely entertain a sale at the right place, as would the player himself, but you wonder if he would be Liverpool's top target.
Liverpool midfielder target: Kalvin Phillips
The Manchester City is another that has found it difficult for regular game time over the last year. Still, he always finds a way of getting into Gareth Southgate's England side, which perhaps says more for Man City's strength in depth more than anything. He is another that was linked with several teams when he exited Leeds United, and he would be a handy signing for Liverpool.
With Phillips being Premier League ready, that would stand him in good stead should Klopp indeed wishing to pursue this transfer. City manager Pep Guardiola would need to agree to his sale of course, and although he hasn't played so often, he might still want him around. Injuries have disrupted his progress of late, but Phillips himself may force a move for more regular football.
