Liverpool have reportedly added Napoli attacker Piotr Zielinski to their midfield shortlist as the Anfield club look to strengthen in the middle of the park – a player that Jurgen Klopp has himself described as a “great player”.
Liverpool suffered defeat to Napoli in their first Champions League group game this season, a 4-1 loss in Naples. The Serie A league leaders have been going from strength to strength, sitting pretty at the top of the Serie A table.
Zielinski, who has already amassed an enormous 89 caps for Poland at just 28, has been crucial to their form. While he has not started every match, the £70million-rated star has still managed to lay on 13 goal involvements this term.
The Polish ace scored twice against Liverpool in that 4-1 win. Speaking after the match in quotes published by CM, Liverpool boss Klopp described Zielinski as a “great player”. One that Napoli can “build their team around”.
Now, Italian journalist Rudy Galetti claims that Zielinski is on a six-man midfield shortlist at Anfield. One that also includes Jude Bellingham, Sofyan Amrabat, Moises Caicedo, Mikel Merino and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans.
Liverpool add Zielinski to shortlist: Klopp described him as a great player
Zielinski is much like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Curtis Jones, in terms of versatility. He can play as an eight, either side of a holding midfielder in a 4-3-3. He can play as a no.10 in a 4-2-3-1. Also, he can play on either flank.
At times for Poland, too, he has partnered Robert Lewandowski up front. So, just the kind of attacking midfielder that Klopp needs at Anfield – and he is clearly an admirer. His contract has just entered the last 18 months at Napoli.
A move this month seems unlikely. His age makes him a player that does not fit with Liverpool’s normal transfer blueprint. But, Klopp is a big fan and that could see the Liverpool boss overrule the guidelines to sign him.
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