Revealed: The EIGHT midfielders on Liverpool's shortlist this summer

Cameron Smith

• 21 Jul 2023 13:15 BST
• 3 min read

Jurgen Klopp has drafted an eight-man shortlist of potential midfield acquisitions as he prepares for the imminent departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

The midfield pair are both set to move to the Saudi Pro League, with Henderson on the verge of joining Steven Gerrard-led Al Ettifaq, while Fabinho is set to sign for Al-Ittihad.

Fabinho will become the fourth high-profile addition at Al-Ittihad this summer, after the arrivals of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, N’Golo Kante from Chelsea and Jota from Celtic.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

As well as the imminent loss of Henderson and Fabinho, Klopp has already seen Adam Lallana, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabio Carvalho (loan) depart Anfield this summer, leaving them slightly light in midfield.

The Reds have reacted by adding Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) and Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leizpig), but they will reportedly only sanction the sale of both Henderson and Fabinho if they bring in at least one reinforcement.

Signing another midfielder had already been rumoured before news of Saudi interest in the two players.

MORE: Liverpool legend to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool have identified eight players who could be signed this summer as they look to strengthen in the middle of the park.

Romeo Lavia, Cheick Doucoure, Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kalvin Phillips, Joao Palhinha and Khephren Thuram are reportedly the eight names on Klopp’s wish-list.

Crystal Palace’s Doucoure has emerged as a potential target in recent days, but the Eagles are set to demand at least €75 million to sell the midfielder this summer.

Stonewall react to Henderson Saudi move

FootballTransfers reached out to Stonewall for comment about Henderson’s proposed move to Al-Ettifaq.

Robbie de Santos, Director of External Affairs at Stonewall, told FootballTransfers: “We are grateful to Jordan Henderson for using his platform to stand up for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports and fitness, including by wearing our Rainbow Laces.

“In the ten years since our campaign started, public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in sport have improved considerably, and this is thanks in no small part to bold allyship from athletes such as Henderson.”

De Santos continued: “We can’t deny the reality of lives for the LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia, and we hope that Henderson continues his work to build towards a world where sport is everybody's game."