Liverpool eyeing up World Cup star - they badly need him

Liverpool are eyeing Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat in January to rejuvenate their midfield.

The Reds have been in horrendous form this season. Going into the World Cup break Jurgen Klopp’s side were sixth in the Premier League, some seven points from the Champions League spots and 15 points from Arsenal in top spot.

Liverpool’s poor form can in part be credited to their midfield. The likes of Tiago Alcantara and club captain Jordan Henderson have been out for large parts of the season, while Naby Keita, who is very much a fringe player, has not featured since August through injury.

Meanwhile, midfield stalwart Fabinho, who was once dubbed “the lighthouse”, has been a shadow of his former self this term. The Brazilian will be hoping to regain some form at the World Cup

Given Liverpool’s midfield woes, alongside Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contracts expiring next summer, Klopp’s side desperately needs to dip into the market.

Amrabat to Liverpool?

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claimed Liverpool are in the race to sign Morocco international Amrabat, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur also believed to be interested.

Amrabat was part of a Morocco side which secured a 2-0 win over Belgium in the group stages of the World Cup while he has starred domestically for Fiorentina this term.

The publication claims that Amrabat would be interested in swapping Florence for Merseyside if the paycheck is right. Meanwhile, the appeal of Champions League football could also help prize the midfielder away from Serie A.

The player is reportedly earning €1.8million-a-year (£1.56million) in Florence but could earn substantially more if he agrees to join the Premier League giants.

Klopp has also made it clear he is in the market for a midfielder.

The Liverpool manager admitted earlier this season: “I know we have had this discussion since it all started and I am the one who said we don't need a midfielder and you were all right and I was wrong.

“That's the situation. There is really nothing more to say about it. We are looking for it, and if it is the right player we need him and if it is not the right player we don't need him.”

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Transfers, Premier League, Serie A, Football World Cup

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.