Liverpool have reportedly identified Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as an alternative to Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham.
Jude Bellingham, 18, is rated as one of Europe’s hottest young talents due to his eye-catching performances with Borussia Dortmund. Due to his superb development at the Signal Iduna Park, the England international is attracting a lot of interest from top European clubs, including Liverpool.
However, due to Bellingham’s price, signing the teenager could prove impossible for Jurgen Klopp’s club. Keeping that in mind, Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Liverpool are ready to revive their interest in Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino, who was on the Merseyside club’s radar in the last summer transfer window. The report adds the Reds boss is keen on the Spaniard due to his ‘versatility and dominant physique’.
Merino, 25, who joined Real Sociedad from Newcastle United in the summer of 2018, has proven to be a consistent performer for the Basque club, chipping in with 14 goals and as many assists in 127 appearances. With a goal and two assists in 12 games, the midfielder has played a crucial role in Real Sociedad’s rise to second in the La Liga table this season.
Mikel Merino to Liverpool—A solid midfield signing?
Liverpool failed to replace Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer after the Dutchman ran down his contract and joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Currently, Jurgen Klopp has an ageing midfield unit at his disposal, with Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara all in their 30s.
With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita struggling with injury problems since arriving at the club and young Harvey Elliot out for the foreseeable future with a serious ankle injury, Klopp can truly rely only on Curtis Jones and Fabinho in the Reds’ engine room. Thus, it makes complete sense for the Liverpool manager to plan on refreshing his midfield options next summer.
That being said, Mikel Merino would be a good fit at Anfield. Merino is a versatile player who can operate in different positions along the midfield and dictate the tempo of the game with his passing, tackling and reading of the game. The 10-cap Spanish international can protect the ball very well and has the ability to drive past players with ease by combining his physical traits and skill-set at the same time.
A box-to-box midfielder, he would add the much-needed dynamism and energy to the Liverpool midfield, whilst filling the void left by Wijnaldum. Merino would also add goals and assists to Klopp’s side from the middle of the park, as demonstrated by his 14 goals and as many assists for the La Liga club. Plus, his previous experience with Newcastle United should also come in handy while adapting to the demands of Premier League football.
At 25, Mikel Merino is at a perfect age to make his jump to a bigger club. He would add quality and bring competition within the Liverpool squad, whilst helping them overcome their issues in the midfield department.