Six Liverpool midfield transfer options for the summer window

Liverpool's summer transfer window has kicked into gear nice and early after capturing World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Albion.

The 24-year-old's arrival is widely regarded as a tremendous piece of business, with Mac Allister pivotal to Brighton's surprise top-six Premier League finish which has cemented a place in next season's Europa League.

But instead of joining Albion in their new venture, Mac Allister will play in the competition with Liverpool, tasked with helping to rejuvenate a midfield that was overrun and outclassed on numerous occasions last year.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sanctioned the releases of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers - while James Milner appears to be heading to Brighton after his contract expired - so this could be a summer of transition for the Reds as they look to establish themselves as title challengers once more.

Further midfield incomings are needed to ensure Mac Allister, who will wear the number ten shirt, hits the ground running on Merseyside and there's plenty of options available to Klopp and his new sporting director, Jorg Schmadtke, between now and the transfer deadline.

Here's a selection of the players linked with plugging the gaps.

1. Manu Kone

Current club: Borussia Monchengladbach

90min revealed at the end of May that Liverpool had opened talks with the representatives of French midfielder Manu Kone after a hugely impressive season in the Bundesliga.

The 22-year-old plays in the holding midfield role and is somebody that Schmadtke knows well from his time in Germany. A potential long-term successor to Fabinho, who struggled throughout last season, a deal for Kone may not break the bank either which is what Liverpool are hoping for with their summer dealings.

2. Khephren Thuram

Current club: OGC Nice

A far more attack-minded midfielder, Khephren Thuram is another player Liverpool have engaged in dialogue with over a potential move to Anfield.

Thuram, who is a part of Didier Deschamps' senior France squad for the upcoming international fixtures, is a chance creator who is always looking to progress the ball forward into advanced areas - a similar skillset to that of Mac Allister.

3. Ryan Gravenberch

Current club: Bayern Munich

Ryan Gravenberch was heralded as one of European football's brightest young talents when he swapped Amsterdam for Munich last summer.

But the inability to dislodge Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka from their starting roles, plus the addition of Konrad Laimer for next season, means Gravenberch could be available after a tricky 12 months.

Another more attack-minded midfielder, Gravenberch creates chances but also likes to take efforts at goal while simultaneously getting stuck into tackles. A real all-rounder who could be a steal if Bayern are prepared to follow through and sell.

4. Youri Tielemans

Current club: Free agent

If it's Premier League experience Liverpool are looking for, they should look no further than Youri Tielemans.

Not only does the Belgian know his way around the division, he's also going to be a free agent this summer as his Leicester contract is expiring and he's chosen not to renew - no surprise really given the Foxes relegation.

Tielemans was well below his best during 2022/23 but has real quality to offer, in his own half and also in the final third. Could be a very wise addition.

5. Gabri Veiga

Current club: Celta Vigo

Gabri Veiga is a talented young Spanish playmaker who could be a real star in the making.

The 20-year-old has almost all of Europe's very best clubs monitoring his progress and he'll have done his chances of bagging a big move no harm after netting a brace for Celta in their 2-1 win over Barcelona - goals that secured the club's status in La Liga.

His 15 goal contributions show what he's capable of in terms of end product, with his appeal enhanced further by a tempting £35m release clause written into his contract.

6. Ruben Neves

Current club: Wolves

After six seasons at Molineux, the time for Ruben Neves to secure a big move away is surely now.

Nobody expected the 26-year-old to be at Wolves for as long as he has been, truth be told, and his performances in 2022/23 were a reminder that the Portuguese is capable of mixing it a higher level.

Neves provides an effective screen in front of the back four but also loves to dictate the tempo of games and spread the play. He also has the ability to unlock a defence with an eye of the needle pass, in addition to rocketing home a scorcher from distance or bending in a set piece.

7. Other options

There's further options available to Liverpool this summer if they're willing to pay big money, with their extensive scouting network appreciative of the talent of Moises Caicedo and Aurelien Tchouameni among others.

Nicolo Barella, Romeo Lavia and Mason Mount all have admirers at Anfield too, with this particular trio able to offer cover in the six, eight and ten role.

READ ALL OF THE MAJOR TRANSFER RUMOURS OF THE PAST WEEK HERE