Jurgen Klopp’s takes final decision on £33m midfielder may lead to three signings in the January transfer window

Jurgen Klopp’s takes final decision on £33m midfielder may lead to three signings in the January transfer window

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has a midfield situation at Anfield, having turned down the opportunity to sign Arthur Melo on a permanent deal once his loan spell ends in July.

The Brazilian joined Liverpool temporarily from Juventus in the final days of the summer transfer window but has been unable to make an impact despite the Reds’ midfield crisis.

The Brazilian playmaker needed some time to recover his match fitness when he first joined the team, but he only played 13 minutes of game time — a cameo in Liverpool’s 4-1 Champions League loss to Napoli, before suffering a long-term injury.

The 26-year-old tried to increase his speed but instead tore his thigh, necessitating surgery that kept him out of action for several months.

Although Klopp’s midfield has faced backlash so far this season, Arthur could make a surprise return toward the end of January. However, the club is not expected to exercise the £33 million option in the loan agreement to make his stay permanent.

Liverpool is keen on signing Jude Bellingham (Getty Images)

However, given that James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all have contracts that expire at the end of the current campaign, he might not be the only midfielder set to depart Anfield in the summer.

Klopp could be left with just Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho as his midfield options, who have rarely impressed as the Reds sit sixth in the Premier League table after their 3-1 loss away to Brentford. With potentially four players set to leave, as many as three midfielders could feasibly be signed ahead of next season.

Jude Bellingham has been identified as a top target, but Liverpool will have competition from a number of top teams throughout Europe to sign the England World Cup star, and Real Madrid fans are already expecting the teenager to join Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham alone – if Liverpool can pull a deal off for him – may not be enough as their defensive fragilities have been exposed this season and the club may feel that an able defensive midfielder could be made a priority.

Sofyan Amrabat (Getty images)

Sofyan Amrabat played a key role in helping Morocco progress to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar, and speculations suggest that his club Fiorentina would be open to a January deal for £44 million. The 26-year-old hard-tackling midfielder demonstrated with his nation that he can compete on the biggest stage, and he might fit in naturally at Anfield.

Given that they have been strongly linked with a deal for Matheus Nunes of Wolves, Liverpool may be interested in adding a third midfielder to the squad. A year after joining the Premier League, The Telegraph reported that the Merseyside club and the Portuguese star have reached an agreement to bring the player to Anfield for £44 million.

In other news, Liverpool to sign £27m Perfect Gini Wijnaldum replacement who will solve Fabinho’s midfield problem