18 April 2023 , 16:25
516
0
What a difference a rampant 6-1 win makes.
Despondency over deflating few weeks for Liverpool were blown away in 90 minutes at Elland Road on Monday night, with Jurgen Klopp's side notching a first league win since March 5. It was just what the Doctor ordered for the German boss and his players, with their harrowing run of previous results compounded by the club admitting defeat in the race to sign Jude Bellingham.
But Klopp is too shrewd to allow a win over an admittedly feeble Leeds side to paper over the cracks. His squad, and midfield in particular, needs bolstering if they are to propel themselves back into the title picture next season. And indeed, on the transfer front, things seem to be picking up after the Bellingham blow.
Liverpool's midfield solution 'better than Jude Bellingham in every way'
If there is one man who knows a thing or two about excelling as a midfielder in the Premier League, it's Rafael van der Vaart.
Ryan Gravenberch could be on the way to Liverpool (Getty Images)And whilst Liverpool's pursuit of Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch may appear a salvation job after pulling out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, then the former Spurs man doesn't see it that way. Contract terms have reportedly been agreed with the young Dutch star, and van der Vaart has implied that Klopp may have inadvertently upgraded his top target - despite the asking price being considerably lower.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
Having seen him come through the ranks at Ajax, he said of Gravenberch: “What I think the big difference is: Bellingham is at a club (Borussia Dortmund) a step lower and always plays." he said. "I think is Gravenberch better than Bellingham in every way. Especially also in physicality.”
Read more here.
Ajax defender's girlfriend house hunting around Anfield
It seems Gravenberch isn't the only star who might head to Liverpool this summer having previously been nurtured through the Ajax Academy.
Jurrien Timber has been linked with a move to Anfield (Getty Images)The Merseyside club have been linked with 21-year-old defender Jurrien Timber, instrumental in the club's last two Eredivisie wins. And whilst midfield reinforcements may be the main priority, their woeful defensive form this season undoubtedly means the arrival of Timber would be welcomed.
And according to Voetbal Primeur the star's girlfriend is already preparing to head to the north of the England: "It seems that his girlfriend is looking for a house in Liverpool," they said. "She is also busy with it, so she will probably leave soon."
Klopp keen on a 'Mac-attack'
If there is a positive for Klopp from missing out on Bellingham, it means he still has ample funds to spare this summer.
Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister could be part of Klopp's summer overhaul (Getty Images)And now Inter Live are reporting that for £115 million, Liverpool hope to bring in not one but two world class players. Brighton's World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella are reportedly being lined up in what the Italian outlet has labelled a 'real revolution'.
The interest in Mac Allister, a surprise star of Argentina's success in Qatar, is to be expected with his stock haven risen immensely this season. But Barella certainly has proven credentials, having won 43 caps for Italy and played a part in their Euro 2020 win.