Liverpool face stiff competition to add muscle to their midfield
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Liverpool had their best day under Jurgen Klopp’s guidance at the weekend, sending Manchester City into a dizzy spin with a 4-1 win. But that victory hasn’t stopped the Monday morning papers linking the Reds with new players in January.
The trip to play City at the Etihad was an unadulterated display of pressing, energy and attacking verve. However, it has been a concern since the former Borussia Dortmund boss arrived on Merseyside that using that style in the English game – with no winter break – could see his new players burn out quicker than usual.
It seems the club are taking measures to prepare for that eventuality, with Spanish media outlet fichajes.net suggesting Liverpool are keen to rival Real Madrid for the signature of Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia.
The 29-year-old Argentine has been with the Serie A side since 2013, when he switched from Anderlecht, but has only made 58 league appearances since then and is rumoured to be attracting serious interest.
Liverpool are suggested to be the keenest of the two parties and Lazio are also preparing to listen to offers from Manchester United and Inter Milan for the player.
With Jordan Henderson still unavailable through injury and Klopp asking his midfielders to do a lot of running to support the pressing game initiated by the forward line, more bodies in that department are going to be needed at Anfield.
Lucas Leiva, for example, is not used to such a frenetic approach and has had a number of injury problems in recent seasons. It would be a surprise to see him last the remainder of campaign without a spell on the sidelines for Klopp.
Aside from Joe Allen, the German tactician doesn’t have too many senior reserves to call on in central midfield should he experience a few injuries, so a move for Biglia makes sense in that regard.
Lazio are unlikely to give their man over for cheap though, especially with his agent suggesting a wide-range of clubs are interested, so it may be another case of the Reds parting with big bucks to get their man.
Following their destruction of Man City on Saturday evening, Ladbrokes make Liverpool 17/10 chances to crack the top four.
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