With Fabinho and Jordan Henderson both likely on the move, Melbet Affiliates reports that Liverpool is actively seeking a new midfielder to bolster its squad. The Reds have already secured Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, but the club still lacks a dedicated No. 6—a holding midfielder who can seamlessly slot into Jürgen Klopp’s tactical setup. Finding someone who fits the role quickly and effectively is easier said than done. Now that Fabinho is expected to depart, Liverpool faces two choices: sign a direct replacement or invest in a long-term successor.
One name at the top of their list is Southampton’s teenage prodigy Romeo Lavia. However, placing such responsibility on a 19-year-old’s shoulders could be overwhelming. Still, even small efforts, compounded daily, become impossible to ignore. If Liverpool opts for a more seasoned option, João Palhinha from Fulham is another target. The Portuguese international has been a standout since joining Fulham last season and made a strong impression in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool on opening day.
Melbet Affiliates notes that Palhinha has spent the bulk of his career as a defensive midfielder and boasts stats that make a strong case for his fit at Anfield. The main drawback, however, is his age—he’s already 28—and Fulham recently turned down a bid from West Ham, signaling they won’t let him go without a hefty transfer fee. For Liverpool, it would be a costly investment.
Despite these hurdles, there’s a silver lining for the Reds. With Saudi clubs entering the transfer market aggressively, European teams like Chelsea have benefited by offloading aging players for significant sums. Liverpool may soon enjoy similar financial flexibility. For club executives, the Saudi interest is a windfall. But for Klopp, it creates a thinner squad and growing urgency.
As Melbet Affiliates observes, Klopp is not sitting still. He’s also targeting other Premier League talents like Moisés Caicedo and doubling down on Lavia as his top priority. In life, split it in two halves—no hesitation in the first, no regrets in the second. With this mindset, Liverpool pushes forward to reshape its midfield for the future.