Lucas has been put up for sale by Liverpool (via Sky Sports), meaning that if he does depart before the end of August, we’ll be playing the season with just four recognised central midfielders in James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Joe Allen.
Coutinho can also play as part of a central midfield three, but even so – five players rotating three spots during a four competition season is a big ask – especially considering Allen is currently crocked.
If the Brazilian is sold, Brendan Rodgers may well need to dip into the transfer market once more to strengthen before deadline day.
Here’s five players capable of playing in defensive midfield who’ve either ever been linked in the papers, or that we think would make appropriate replacement options.
Which of these should we target, if any?
*Note – Brendan Rodgers may choose not to sign a player who would demand first-team football, as this would automatically limit Emre Can’s development and opportunities in the side. If he trusts the German with the ‘DM role’, Jordan Rossiter may be promoted as backup alongside Allen.
Lucas Silva – Real Madrid
There are two Real Madrid midfielders in this list. The first, Lucas Silva, has been most prominently linked with Arsenal (via Guardian), after finding Bernabeu minutes very hard to come by since his January 2015 transfer. With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric guaranteed central midfield starting spots, he can only expect to be a substitute under Rafa Benitez this season, too.
But in many ways, Lucas Silva is a younger, better version of his Liverpool namesake. He shares the long-serving Red’s discipline deep in midfield, but he combines that with sharper passing, added mobility and being much quicker over five yards. While Lucas prides himself on tackles and interceptions, these attributes merely complement Lucas Silva’s more rounded midfield game.
The rumour mill suggests he’s closer to Arsenal, but with the Gunners wanting him on loan, he’d certainly be worth considering if our own Lucas is shipped out quickly.
Asier Illarramendi – Real Madrid
Dave Maddock in the Mirror suggests that Asier Illarramendi is available for £12m, which if true, seems like a no-brainer for us. Like Lucas Silva, his chances of first-team football are slim due to the world-class incumbents of the Real Madrid midfield spots, and he’s been consistently linked with us all summer.
Swapping Lucas for Illarramendi, who at 25 is entering the best years of his career, would be clever business.
The Spaniard is a better passer and more accustomed to controlling the tempo of a game from deep, whereas Lucas is more of a destroyer (who lacks the physicality to be one at the very highest level).
This transfer link is by far the strongest, and if we were to secure Illarra for the mooted price, our summer in the market would undoubtedly be deemed a success.
William Carvalho – Sporting Lisbon
The barnstorming Portuguese has also been linked by Maddock in the same piece which suggests Illarramendi as a replacement option. Carvalho’s talent is immense, but so would his likely price-tag be, with his £37m release clause well publicised (via Independent).
In this respect, Illarra would be the most financially viable option.
What’s more, Carvalho is more of a box-to-box midfielder than a holding one. He loves to drive through the centre with or without the ball, and this characteristic would be denied of him in a traditional anchoring position.
Finally, he’s also out for three months injured, which suggests to us that Maddock’s link is tedious at best.
Thiago Motta – PSG
The Metro led with a story entitled, ‘Liverpool ‘clear to grab Thiago Motta transfer as rival move collapses,” today – linking to MARCA as their source. The Spanish piece though doesn’t mention Liverpool at all, although they do concur that the 32-year-old’s move to Atletico Madrid is looking increasingly unlikely.
So while there are no concrete links between the PSG stalwart and ourselves, he would make a direct replacement for Lucas. Stylistically, they’re comparable. Motta is composed, barely ever gives the ball and provides his side with excellent shape, but is a far, far better passer than Lucas – often slipping through-balls to onrushing attackers. He’d be an immediate upgrade, but would demand a starting spot in a central midfield three.
Having said that, it goes totally against FSG policy to invest in an over-30, especially one on probably large wages.
Moussa Sissoko – Newcastle
Like the previously mentioned Carvalho, Sissoko prides himself on his lung-busting ability to maraud the entirety of the pitch, but he’s still been linked heavily to Liverpool in the Daily Star – who mention bookmakers’ significantly reduced odds in him signing.
Premier League players come at a premium price-tag of course, and given that Sissoko would likely need to play in one of the two ‘advanced’ midfield spots in a midfield three (currently occupied by Henderson and Milner), his targeting seems questionable.
Sissoko’s a good player though, and arguably would not be a bad signing regardless of Lucas’s staying or going.
But as a replacement the links don’t make sense.
If we are to sign anyone, Illarra seems the most obvious option – especially if he’s available for £12m. It does though mean that Can may have to oust either Henderson or Milner from the side to gain a starting spot – a task difficult said or done.
