Liverpool can stretch Jude Bellingham money with £26m release clause

The agenda for Liverpool next summer has already been set. Without an adequate midfield addition over the last transfer window, Julian Ward has left himself with a lot of work to do in 2023.

For months now, in many people’s books, that involved a pursuit for Jude Bellingham, but as Jürgen Klopp's midfield woes have persisted this season, it’s looking more and more likely that a transfer for Bellingham is becoming a luxury Liverpool cannot afford — even if the latest reports have them as the front runners.

With the England international’s reported transfer fee touted at around £100-150m, Liverpool simply cannot afford to spend that much on the teenager, when they are in need of not just one midfielder but potentially two or three next summer. That is before you account for the fact that Liverpool could also do with an attacker.

James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta all have expiring contracts at the end of the season and none are looking likely to extend their futures at Anfield beyond 2023. Given their injury record and Milner’s age, that’s probably for the best, though it does leave Ward with a mighty task.

More Liverpool news:

Klopp raged at Liverpool star, tension at Tottenham stadium

Klopp's big mouth could land him in even more trouble; FA go after the German

The bare minimum for Liverpool next summer is probably two midfielders. Both have to be of a particular profile. The ideal midfielder will have to be under 25, energetic and productive both defensively and offensively.

One priority is to find a holding midfielder who would be capable of easing some of the load off of Fabinho’s shoulders. He has buckled under the pressure this season and has struggled in the middle of the park, which has contributed to the vast majority of Liverpool’s overall woes this season.

One candidate who could be an ideal solution for Liverpool is Edson Álvarez. The Ajax midfielder has recently caught the eye for the Dutch side against Liverpool, and he is definitely the type of player who is capable of breaking up opposition counter-attacks and winning a high volume of defensive duels.

This season he ranks in the top 10 for possession-adjusted interceptions in the Champions League (7.34 per 90) as per Wyscout, and he wins 65.38 per cent of his defensive duels in the Eredivisie. In terms of his transfer value, he would likely cost somewhere around £60m next summer, with Chelsea having failed to land him for £43m last summer. Other options could include Enzo Fernández of Benfica, though the Portuguese side are bound to demand a lot of money for his services.

More Liverpool news:

Klopp is the best in the Premier League, the humbling of Conte

Hasn't scored a goal for three years, earns more than Liverpool's new idol, Klopp to renew him

A perhaps more sensible choice could be Konrad Laimer, who would be available on a free transfer and who is the same age as Álvarez. Laimer’s numbers are impressive this season and not having to pay a transfer fee for him would be ideal for Liverpool. However, his injury record is a concern, with the midfielder having missed 69 games due to injury since 2020. For that reason, Álvarez could be a better solution.

The other midfielder Liverpool would likely have to target is a player of the same ilk as Bellingham: a bit more of a box-to-box type who can make an impact in the final third, but also offer the defensive contribution that is essential for Klopp’s system.

Yunus Musah should be high on the club’s list as an alternative option to Bellingham. The Valencia midfielder wins a high volume of his defensive duels, and while he only has two assists this season in La Liga, he does make important contributions going forward.

This season, no U23 midfielder has made as many progressive runs in La Liga as Musah (2.36 per 90) and he also ranks in the top five for key passes (0.47 per 90). Still extremely young at just 19, and with rumours of a £26m release clause (Gol Digital), Musah is one to watch.

More Liverpool news:

Jürgen Klopp has unlocked exciting 21-goal

Liverpool caused panic at Tottenham, Conte's desperate decision, fans mocked

<strong><u>Jude Bellingham For Just £26m</u></strong>

Other options could include Dominik Szoboszlai who is not only a creative asset averaging the best expected assists per 90 average among U23 midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, but he is also a workhorse who is adept at winning possession for his teammates and ranks in the top five U23 Bundesliga players for possession adjusted interceptions (6.84 per 90). With Liverpool on good terms with RB Leipzig, Julian Ward could definitely land him for a much cheaper price than Bellingham.

Then, of course, there is also the option of promoting from within. Tyler Morton is enjoying a successful season in the Championship, ranking highly in key defensive metrics among his positional peers, and he is a player who is highly regarded by Klopp himself.

Liverpool will have plenty of options to choose from, and it’s definitely not Bellingham or bust as some would suggest. Often the club’s second-choice options have turned out better than the first, and that could very well turn out to be true next summer as well.