Liverpool legend Lucas Leiva has urged the club’s supporters to be patient as they continue to revamp their midfield this summer.
The former Brazil midfielder claims that it’s difficult to find a Jurgen Klopp-type of midfielder in the transfer market following the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds have lost several midfielders including captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho and are keen on bringing in further reinforcement but their transfer activity has been slow.
Liverpool have had two bids rejected by Southampton for Romeo Lavia as the Saints have no intention of selling the 19-year-old on ‘the cheap’. The South Coast side want £50m for Lavia who has set his heart on Anfield.
“It’s a key role, it’s the link between defence and attack,” Leiva told Liverpool Echo.
“It’s a position where you help the defence, so you don’t leave a hole to leave the centre-backs exposed. The player needs to be able to read the game to allow the offensive players to attack without having the team too open. It’s very hard to find players in that position, especially given the way Jurgen Klopp wants to play.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been deployed in the midfield several times by Klopp and he could start in midfield when they take on Chelsea in their Premier League opener on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
“Trent can do that,” the Brazilian added. “Of course, you have to adapt. As a full-back you get the ball on the touchline and by definition you have less angles in which to play a pass but sometimes you can take more risks. In midfield you have to find the balance of knowing when you can try a more difficult pass or play it simple and keep the team playing.
“But I think Trent has the ability to do that. I see it as a positive as it gives Jurgen options. There are games for sure where he will play at full-back but there will be games where Jurgen will want a player in defensive midfield who can pick a pass, and there aren’t many in the world better than Trent at doing that.”
“It’s very demanding,” he admits. “You know how he likes to set up his team, full of energy especially with the high pressing and counter-pressing. That’s why pre-season is always so important, having double and triple sessions will allow the players to perform in that midfield. That’s why it’s important to have players who can play with the highest intensity and keep away from injuries.”
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