Liverpool interested in all-action midfield sensation: What should be the club’s play here?

Liverpool have made just two signings in the summer transfer window – 17-year-old Sepp van den Berg and 16-year-old Harvey Elliott, both of whom will most likely only feature in the Reds’ Reserves or U18 squads.

The 2019 Champions League winners haven’t strengthened the first-team, while Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge, two players part of last year’s squad, have left the club.

The Reds have now been linked with another young player, defensive midfielder Idrissa Doumbia from Sporting Lisbon.

A report by Portuguese daily Record has revealed that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had a look at the 21-year-old during Liverpool’s clash with Sporting recently, which ended 2-2.

The Ivorian moved to the Portuguese club earlier this year in the January transfer window, when he signed from Russian club FC Akhmat Grozny. Doumbia previously played for Anderlecht before moving to the Russian club in 2018.

Doumbia played 14 games for Sporting Lisbon in the 2018-19 season, scoring one goal for the club.

What should Liverpool’s play be if they sign Doumbia?

Doumbia is a solid defensive midfielder who is quick and skilful, moving the ball quickly from deep in midfield, using his long legs to get from one box to another. A good dribbler of the ball, the 6’1″ midfielder is strong to get past tackles and move the ball around quickly.

The Ivorian is a good passer of the ball, averaging 24.1 passes each game and completing 93.4% of all passes. He likes to keep the ball ticking from midfield, while also using his energy and pace to move the ball ahead.

He also contributes in the defensive side of the game, averaging a tackle a game and 1.1 interceptions. He is a keen tackler of the ball, but it is an area he has to improve as he often makes fouls.

Doumbia will most likely not get an opportunity in the first-team as there are far too many midfielders that Klopp currently has in the squad that are better than him at the moment.

The Liverpool manager has the likes of Fabinho, Naby Keita, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, and even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as options for him in midfield.

Doumbia could certainly be a player for the future as he is a good passer and has energy and work-rate to work well in Klopp’s system. Perhaps Liverpool could sign him and send him back to Sporting Lisbon on loan to get some much-needed first-team football.