Homegrown players Liverpool could target to tackle ongoing squad issues
This is Anfield • Liverpool FC review •
8 homegrown players Liverpool could target to tackle team woes
Liverpool may have to tap into the domestic market this summer if they are to meet Premier League demands with their squad.
The departures of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have forced the Reds to be a little more cautious about summer signings as the Reds are close to their limit of non-native players.
This is Anfield • Liverpool FC review •
Homegrown Liverpool players could be aiming to play against the current team
Liverpool may have to tap into the domestic market this summer if they are to meet Premier League demands with their squad.
The departures of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have forced the Reds to be a little more cautious about summer signings as the Reds are close to their limit of non-native players. Under Premier League rules, clubs cannot have more than 17 non-native players in their 25-man squad, with players under the age of 21 not counting towards those numbers for that season, regardless of their origin.
A homegrown player doesn’t have to be born or raised on the British coast. For example, any person who played for a member club of the FA for three or more years before turning 21 can count towards a national score.
It means Jürgen Klopp could keep an eye out for a few options this summer that meet national criteria, to meet the 2023/24 requirements and ease the burden for years to come.
Here we look at some of the players Liverpool could target in the transfer window.
Midfield is the hot topic on everyone’s lips when it comes to summer reinforcements, but Liverpool also seem increasingly keen to add a new defensive option for next season. Marc Guehi has appeared in all but one of Crystal Palace’s Premier League games in 2022/23 and was reportedly wanted by a number of top clubs last month, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Man United.
A reported £50million price tag could deter Liverpool from pursuing a hands-on approach, but the bounty for homegrown players will mean the Reds may eventually have to resort to an above-quota transfer fee.
Eberechi Eze, who remains at Selhurst Park at the moment, is a talented striker who has also caught the eye of some of the league’s top sides.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was Palace’s top scorer with ten goals last season and can be a real help for in-form defenders.
Liverpool have been linked with Eze on several occasions in the past, but the club’s willingness to bring in local talent could shine a light on players with his profile. Having tasted relegation at Leicester last season, Harvey Barnes is keen to make a swift return to the top flight this summer.
The 25-year-old predominantly plays on the left wing, a position Liverpool are currently well established in, but can also operate in attacking midfield.
Barnes has been linked with a move to the Reds in the past and could be available at a discounted price given the Foxes’ current situation.
Liverpool could do far worse than go after Jacob Ramsey to remedy some of the midfield’s current shortcomings.
A mainstay in a resurgent Aston Villa side last season, Ramsey has goals in his game that have been difficult to come by from the Reds’ midfield in recent years. At 22, he is very similar in age to other Liverpool midfield targets such as Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone and Ryan Gravenberch, but would be crucial in the quota he won himself next season.
He’s not often a name associated with Anfield, but he’s certainly not a difficult player to defend.
Moussa Dembele is a player that some may not know is considered a native. He fulfills the criteria as he started his professional career at Fulham.
Fitness issues made last season a memorable one for Dembele but a bright spot could overtake our blue neighbours, as Everton are reportedly close to orbiting the player this summer!
One player who has been linked with Liverpool in recent months is Conor Gallagher. Reports from April suggest the midfielder is ‘top’ of the target list.
Gallagher’s Chelsea team-mate Mason Mount seemed destined for Anfield this summer, but reports now suggest Old Trafford is a more likely destination. Fans were torn over the prospect of signing Gallagher this summer when the connections were reported, but of the key midfield names currently on Liverpool’s shopping list, very few would qualify as homegrown.
Another Chelsea player who could be of interest to Klopp is Levi Colwill, with the Reds not hiding their desire to strengthen the defence.
The centre-back has been linked with a move to Liverpool amid reports suggesting he does not feel Chelsea can meet his playing time needs.
Colwill wouldn’t come cheap if the Reds make a move, but at 20, the player cap is immeasurable as some of the manager’s current defensive options continue to struggle with fitness issues.
Very few former Manchester United players have moved to Anfield and vice versa in recent years, but Ron-Robert Zieler is a potential signing that could make sense for all parties. The 34-year-old would bring experience and confidence to Liverpool’s goalkeeping ranks, while likely asking for a very minimal transfer fee.
After Adrian confirmed last month that he was planning to extend his stay beyond the summer, the Reds appear to have been troubled by Zieler’s recent quotes in Bild, in which he admitted he “assumes “that he will stay at Hannover next season.
