Liverpool 'schedule talks' with TWO midfielders despite Mac Allister transfer

James Shearman

• Updated: 9 Jun 2023 06:44 BST
• 4 min read

Liverpool have 'scheduled talks' with the representatives of Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds completed the £35 million signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton on Thursday, but remain in the market for more midfielders.

With James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving Anfield, Jurgen Klopp's side are in need of reinforcements.

The signing of Mac Allister is just the start of the Reds' rebuild this summer, with Kone and Thuram, both 22 years of age, likely to join the Argentinian, as Jacque Talbot reported for FootballTransfers exclusively last week.

EXCLUSIVE: Kokcu, Thuram and Kone top Liverpool midfield shortlist

Kone would provide competition for Fabinho in the defensive midfield position, while Thuram could rotate with Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara.

But until either are signed, this is how Liverpool could set up next season.

Liverpool with Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister's versatility will make him an asset on either side of the midfield in Klopp's 4-3-3 system.

The Argentine is accustomed to playing with a left-footed right winger ahead of him, playing a crucial role in support of Lionel Messi as Argentina won the World Cup in December, so functioning the same way with Mo Salah for company should be an easy adjustment.

The former Brighton man should also have a fully fit Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo for company in the final third next season. The former looks a bona fide replacement for Sadio Mane, injury-permitting, while Gakpo will be more trusted with Firmino's build-up role than the pacy but unpolished Darwin Nunez.

At the back, there should be little change, although Trent Alexander-Arnold could also invert into an extra midfielder as he did at the back end of last season depending on the phase of play.