Liverpool have a big summer in front of them as Jürgen Klopp’s side have done pretty well in the Champions League and the Premier League and will want to kick on next season. Though the Cup exits were a disappointment, the mood around Anfield is pretty good as the fans believe in Klopp and the direction the club is heading in.
Silverware is still needed, though, and the only way Liverpool can end their wait in by increasing the depth and quality of their squad. Though the playing XI is pretty settled, the bench can improve.
The impending arrival of Naby Keita this summer will help, but considering the fact that Liverpool still haven’t announced a deal for Emre Can, they’ll need to earmark an alternative just in case he doesn’t extend his contract.
Can’s contract with Liverpool comes to an end in the summer, and in a bid to replace him, the club have been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama according to reports.
Wanyama – Fact file
It’s a bit odd that Liverpool end up signing or get linked to players who have played for Southampton in the past. Wanyama rose to prominence at Celtic a few years ago before the Saints signed him up for a fee of €14.5 million in 2013. After a good three seasons at the club, he reunited with Mauricio Pochettino, who signed him when he was in charge of Southampton.
Injuries have meant that he has started just one game in the Premier League so far this season as the rest of the eight appearances have come off the bench. Lest we forget, though, he started in 35 games last season for Spurs and played a key role in their top four finish.
What will he add to Liverpool?
Wanyama isn’t a direct replacement for Emre Can. However, he could be exactly what Liverpool need. With Keita signing for the club come the summer, Wanyama could be the perfect foil for the former’s style of play.
Liverpool have lacked a good holding midfielder, not in terms of passing, but in terms of breaking the play and the Kenyan could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
We’ve seen at Spurs that he is a pretty strong holding midfielder whose passing is pretty good, so it’s unlikely he’ll find it hard to acclimatise to Liverpool’s style of play under Klopp.
