Enzo Fernandez to Liverpool: Benfica's transfer stance revealed

FT Desk

31 Aug 2022 10:06 BST
3 min read

Enzo Fernandez, River Plate, 2022 — © ProShots

Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring a central midfielder to Liverpool before the transfer window slams shut, with Benfica's Enzo Fernandez the latest to be linked.

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With Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injured, Liverpool's need for a central midfielder is acute.

Jordan Henderson has been partnered by James Milner and Harvey Elliott in Klopp's preferred 4-3-3 system in recent weeks, with 17-year-old Bobby Clark the first alternative in the position.

Will Liverpool sign someone before the transfer deadline?pic.twitter.com/mHU7baMOCg
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 30, 2022

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong remain of interest, but their transfer fees could prove to be prohibitively expensive, hence Liverpool have shifted their sited to Fernandez.

The 21-year-old Argentine only joined Benfica from River Plate in July, though, and Roger Schmidt has ruled out letting the player leave before the window shuts this summer, or indeed at any point this season.

Schmidt: 'not afraid'

"No, I'm not afraid," he said when asked by Portuguese newspaper Record. "He feels good here, it's the perfect place to develop.

"He's a great player, a great person, he's focused, professional and knows what he does when he comes here. Everything came together at the right time, I think he will be here for a long time, half a year is not enough."

Benfica's hand might be forced if Liverpool throw enough money at them - something that has already happened this summer with the arrival of Darwin Nunez for €100m.

Darwin hit the ground running with the Reds, coming off the bench to score in the Community Shield win over Manchester City and the opening day Premier League draw with Fulham.

He was subsequently suspended for three games, though, after headbutting Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen when they sides drew 1-1 in Game Week 2.

Benfica have made nearly €150 from player sales this summer, with Roman Yeremchuk and Everton fetching the next most after Darwin having joined Club Brugge and Flamengo respectively.