The Reason Liverpool Didn't Sign Youri Tielemans, Kalvin Phillips And Yves Bissouma This Summer

Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay in an already busy window, but there seems to be a void in the midfield position.

With the Reds looking likely to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, the middle of the park is likely to be the most important cog in their system.

Thiago and Fabinho are undeniably world-class, with Jordan Henderson a capable backup in the pivot - but as time moves on, the depth in that role is looking thinner as days pass.

Liverpool are an attractive prospect for many but are choosy in the way they spend their money.

They were reportedly set to spend on Monaco’s (now Real Madrid’s) Aurelien Tchouameni and have been linked with Jude Bellingham for years, but there seems to be a reluctance to invest in the area.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were also 'willing to pass up on' deals for the likes of Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips and former Brighton, now Tottenham player Yves Bissouma this summer. 

According to National News Sport, the Reds could have signed those players but the club rejected the offers they received for the trio, all of which they considered easy to complete.

The reason why the Reds reportedly decided to turn down those offers is because they do not want to sign new players who will start out at the higher end of the wage bill.

Among the club's top earners at this moment in time is Thiago, with the Spaniard in the midst of his first contract at Anfield.

Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton all saw minutes at Anfield last season, with the former now a staple in Klopp’s squad.

hey will take the minutes which would be given to a new midfielder - alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is set to remain at the club for one more season.

The aforementioned trio of midfielders - Phillips, Bissouma and Tielemans - are all now highly unlikely to move to the Reds. Bissouma made a £25m move to Spurs, whilst Phillips is a target for both City and Paris Saint-Germain. Tielemans is wanted by Arsenal.

If the Reds do sign a midfielder, it’s likely to be a young player who doesn’t break their wage structure - but that could be an issue come the future, akin to the Mohamed Salah situation.