Liverpool will likely look to the summer transfer window to strengthen their squad after a disappointing campaign so far, and Jurgen Klopp‘s main focus will surely be on improving the midfield, one area which has been identified as a glaring weakness.
Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner will be out of contract in the summer whilst captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are into their 30s and coming to the latter stages of their careers, hopefully paving the way for the Liverpool hierarchy to reinvest and rebuild for the next generation of success in midfield.
One player who has been touted with a move to Anfield this summer is Birmingham City midfielder George Hall.
Football Insider claimed this week that the Merseysiders have regularly watched the youngster’s performances this season as they weigh up a potential swoop, and they want a deal in place ahead of the summer transfer window if they make their interest concrete over the weeks and months ahead.
Why do Liverpool want George Hall?
There is no doubt that signing the 18-year-old would be a big coup for the Reds in their pursuit to inject energy and a more youthful presence in their midfield going forward, with a revolution desperately needed in that sector ahead of next season.
Indeed, Hall has limited experience over his short career so far but has already drawn comparisons with positional peer and fellow Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham.
Both young talents came through the Birmingham City youth academy and offer attacking attributes which make them huge threats for opponents in the heart of their teams.
Across 19 Championship appearances this season, Hall – who was hailed as a “complete player” by his former teacher Matt Russell – has scored one goal, registered one assist and created two big chances, despite starting only three games and averaging just 31 minutes per performance.
As per FBref, he and Bellingham have posted some strikingly similar performance figures from their embryonic careers, especially in terms of goals per 90 (0.13 to 0.12, Hall first), assists per 90 (0.13 to 0.17), shot on target percentage (28.6% to 27%) and tackle success rate (54.5% to 49.2%).
The talented teenager has been lavished with praise for his progress and performances for the Blues, with their manager John Eustace saying: “George is a fantastic young player who’s a big player for us and for the team. He’s a top young player. But all I want to do is to keep on developing George in the right way, which I think we have done so far.”
If Liverpool can secure the signature of Hall in the summer, it could be the perfect opportunity for Klopp to develop another rising talent into a superstar sensation at Anfield – much like he has done with Trent Alexander-Arnold – and give Liverpool the fresh impetus that they desperately need in midfield.
Football FanCast
- Sensational £20k-p/w Leeds “Rocket” Could Be Raphinha 2.0Leeds United must ensure Wilfried Gnonto does not leave this summer, with clubs like Juventus interested in a transfer.
- Chelsea Could Sign Own Haaland With £97m "Animal"Chelsea are interested in signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this summer and the Serbian could be Graham Potter's own version of Erling Haaland.
- Liverpool Could Forget Bellingham With £44m-rated "World-beater"The Dutch machine would be a monster at LFC
90min EN
- Cody Gakpo withdraws from Netherlands squad with viral infectionCody Gakpo withdraws from Netherlands squad with viral infection.
- Why Moises Caicedo did not join Arsenal or Chelsea in JanuaryBrighton's CEO Paul Barber explains why the club stopped Moises Caicedo from joining Arsenal or Chelsea in the January transfer window.
- Leah Williamson rates England's chances of winning 2023 Women's World CupLeah Williamson expresses 'confidence' within the England squad ahead of 2023 Women's World Cup.