Liverpool want Konrad Laimer with Jurgen Klopp potentially dipping into the transfer market in the final days of the window.
The Reds finally kickstarted their season on Saturday with a 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth at Anfield.
After just two points from the first three games, Liverpool finally have their first league win of the season and they secured it in style.
Liverpool’s problems haven’t just completely vanished though and they will still face questions about their midfield options.
Fabinho continues to shine but James Milner, Thiago and Jordan Henderson are all into their 30’s, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have failed to live up to their billing and Curtis Jones hasn’t developed as hoped.
There are still high hopes fo Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho but Liverpool may need some fresh blood in midfield soon.
90Min report that Liverpool have compiled positive reports on RB Leipzig ace Konrad Laimer – and the man who grew up idolising Anfield hero Steven Gerrard represents a very interesting option.
Whether Liverpool make a move or not remains to be seen, but here are four reasons why Laimer could be the man for Liverpool…
Laimer is a pressing machine
Austrian international Laimer is known for his incredible engine in the middle of the park, flying around the pitch in a way that Klopp will surely love.
Laimer covers so much ground in midfield that former Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann called him a ‘monsterballeroberungsmachine’ – ‘a monster, ball-winning machine’, as noted by Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae.
Tifo released a great video on Laimer in 2020, noting his incredible pressing volume and success rate under Nagelsmann.
Liverpool value data highly and Laimer’s numbers suggest that he can be ideal for Klopp with his off-ball work.
History at right back
Laimer has been a very versatile performer for Leipzig, playing in various midfield roles whilst also featuring at right back or right wing back.
This is particularly interesting for Liverpool given Trent Alexander-Arnold’s tendencies to fly forward down the right flank.
We have seen Jordan Henderson cover the space left by Alexander-Arnold on the right side and Laimer’s understanding of the right back position may lend itself to covering in a similar way.
That should appeal to Liverpool, who haven’t quite found that balance in the same way without Henderson in the team.
Final year of his contract
Liverpool don’t want to pay big money for a new midfielder right now.
The Reds may well be saving up for a big move for Jude Bellingham next summer and don’t want to price themselves out of that race by paying over the odds for an option now.
That’s why a deal for somebody like Frenkie de Jong or even Ruben Neves just doesn’t seem to add up right now, as paying big money now and then for Bellingham in 2023 doesn’t seem like the Liverpool way.
Yet with Laimer out of contract in 2023, Leipzig may well be forced to sell now before he leaves for nothing – and a deal worth under £20million seems very possible.
That should appeal to Liverpool, who should be able to sign Laimer without pricing themselves out of the race for Bellingham next summer.
Liverpool love a Red Bull player
Liverpool have snapped up many players with ties Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig in recent times.
Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, Takumi Minamino and Ibrahima Konate have all played for at least one of the Red Bull clubs, with the Reds loving their development.
Other Red Bull talents like Benjamin Sesko and Christopher Nkunku have been linked with Liverpool in recent times too, showing that the Reds still have their eyes on the Red Bull group.
Laimer has played for both teams and could make that same transition into playing for Liverpool and Klopp’s high-pressing setup.
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