Throughout the World Cup we’ve seen midfielder after midfielder be linked with Liverpool after a couple of standout performances.
From Enzo Fernandez to Sofyan Amrabat all the way to the constant stories about Jude Bellingham, you can’t be a top-class midfielder these days without being linked with a move to Anfield… Or can you?
Indeed, one of the standout midfield performers at this tournament hasn’t been linked with Jurgen Klopp’s side – even though he looks like an absolutely perfect fit for the Reds.
We’re talking about Antoine Griezmann.
The converted striker has dropped into the midfield for France in Qatar, and he looks like he’s been playing that central role since the day he was born.
There’s an argument to make that Griezmann has been the Man of the Match in every single game he’s played at this tournament, and on Sunday he has the chance to become a two-time World Cup winner.
Nobody saw this coming. Griezmann has spent most of his career as an attacker – winning the Golden Boot at Euro 2016, but due to injuries to the likes of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, he’s needed to shift his focus to the midfield.
The Atletico Madrid man has proven that he genuinely has the capabilities to be one of the best midfielders on the planet over the past few weeks. He’s a non-stop runner, a brilliant passer and he reads the game as though he’s played this role hundreds of times.
He’s looked like he’d be absolutely perfect for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Of course, Liverpool probably aren’t going to go and sign Griezmann. He turns 32 in March and has very little re-sale value, while he’s only just joined Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis, so there is no selling pressure on the Spanish club.
However, regardless of whether or not this interest will pick up, there is a lesson to learn here.
While everyone feels as though Liverpool need a ready-made midfielder such as Jude Bellingham or Enzo Fernandez, Griezmann’s case, as well as players such as Joelinton and Alex Iwobi domestically, have shown that with the right coaching a player with the correct attributes can be moulded to play these roles, even if it’s not their natural position.
Just like France, Liverpool’s midfield solution could come from left-field.
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