Why Leicester ace Tielemans is the right player for Klopp and Liverpool
FT Desk
- 26 Aug 2022 12:20 CDT
- 3 min read
Jurgen Klopp has made a habit this summer of insisting that Liverpool would only re-enter the transfer market for the "right player". That player is out there, in the shape of Leicester City ace Youri Tielemans.
It has not been an easy start to the season for the Premier League and Champions League runners-up.
Liverpool's went into 2022-23 with what appeared to be a rock-solid transfer plan, having struck right at the start of the window to bring in Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay and, it seemed, complete their already talent-heavy squad.
But as the old adage goes, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
A spate of injuries has left the club dangerously bare in key positions on the field, particularly in the middle.
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Nabi Keita, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all missing for the Reds, who have begun the new campaign with two draws and defeat to Manchester United to languish down in 16th place in the Premier League after three games.
It is still early, of course, but that rough introduction appears to have altered Klopp's stance on strengthening his usually formidable side.
"We are working constantly on these type of things and we've spoken before about why sometimes it's not happening," he told reporters ahead of Saturday's test at home to Bournemouth..
"Sometimes it's expensive, sometimes not the right player, but then situations change. It needs to be the right player and we're working. If something will happen or not, I don't know."
Tielemans appears to tick all the boxes as Klopp's desired right player. At 25 the Belgium international enjoys a sterling reputation thanks to his Leicester exploits, contributing greatly so far over his four seasons in the English top flight.
Belgium star is perfect for Liverpool
The ex-Monaco and Anderlecht man is as reliable a presence as one can hope for in the middle of the pitch, running Leicester's engine room with elegance and commitment while also offering a threat in the final third having netted six times and assisted a further four in each of his last two Premier League campaigns.
The player's unerring passing and fantastic vision makes him the ideal replacement for Thiago during his time on the sidelines and would only add depth once the ex-Barcelona and Bayern man returns. What is more, he may also be available for an extremely agreeable price.
According to reports in Belgian media Leicester, aware that Tielemans' contract will be up next June, could sell their star for just £17 million, a veritable bargain for a player of his quality.
Not that they would have everything their own way: Arsenal are looking to snap the Belgian up in 2023 once his deal expires but might be pressed into more immediate action should Liverpool's interest go public.
There is not much time for the Reds to act after the unwelcome surprises of the last few weeks. It seems that something must be done in the middle, and they could do a lot worse than Leicester's dynamic star.
