Anfield news: Liverpool transfer "problem" stopped Jurgen Klopp replacing Gini Wijnaldum | OneFootball

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·24 October 2021

Anfield news: Liverpool transfer "problem" stopped Jurgen Klopp replacing Gini Wijnaldum

Article image:Anfield news: Liverpool transfer "problem" stopped Jurgen Klopp replacing Gini Wijnaldum

Emmet Gates has claimed Liverpool failed to sign a midfielder this summer because they couldn't offload some of the club's deadwood.

The journalist believes that had they sold Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino or Divock Origi, the money would've been reinvested back into the squad to find a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum.


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What's the latest transfer news involving Liverpool's midfield?

Anfield stalwart Wijnaldum left Liverpool for PSG on a free transfer in the summer, following 237 appearances for the Reds.

However, Liverpool didn't bring in a direct replacement for the Dutchman, with defender Ibrahima Konate being their only major signing of the summer transfer window.

They were linked with Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez during the off-season, but he ended up signing for Premier League rivals Chelsea instead on a season-long loan.

And Gates believes Liverpool's failure to secure Wijnaldum's successor during the summer largely hinged on the limited number of outgoings at the club.

What has Emmet Gates said about Liverpool's midfield?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Gates suggested that Liverpool simply couldn't raise the funds to invest in a new midfielder, while naming three players the club failed to get off the books.

He told GMS: "I think the problem was Liverpool couldn’t shed some of the deadwood - players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino or Divock Origi. Players who aren’t going to see a lot of game time.

"There were no real offers, so that money that they potentially would’ve got would’ve been reinvested in the team but they didn’t really sell anyone of any consequence so there was no money."

Article image:Anfield news: Liverpool transfer "problem" stopped Jurgen Klopp replacing Gini Wijnaldum

Make no mistake, Wijnaldum was a huge part of this Liverpool side. He made over 27 starts in all of his Premier League campaigns on Merseyside.

Nonetheless, Liverpool haven't fared too badly without him this season. At different times, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and James Milner have all featured in midfield, while Harvey Elliott played there thrice before suffering a serious injury.

Liverpool also have Thiago to call upon while Oxlade-Chamberlain can play in central midfield as well.

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Article image:Anfield news: Liverpool transfer "problem" stopped Jurgen Klopp replacing Gini Wijnaldum

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Coupled with regulars Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Liverpool certainly have numbers in the engine room, with seven first-team options to consider for three midfield positions.

But several of those players either have long-term injury problems, such as Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain, or are currently sidelined, so it remains to be seen whether their cohort can hold out across a whole campaign.

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