The new season started last summer with a major reshuffle of midfielders. Liverpool were in a position to challenge for the quadruple crown, but after winning the Carabao Cup, their run of poor performances continued: they lost the FA Cup to Manchester United and were also eliminated from the Europa League.
In the Premier League, they lost to Crystal Palace at Anfield and surrendered their lead at the top of the table. Towards the end of the season, the injured players are returning, but the players who have kept their place in the starting line-up during their absence are beginning to show signs of fatigue, and the returning players are not back in good condition.
Liverpool are already moving ahead with their reinforcement plans for next season. According to football journalist Luis Fregossi, they have started talks for Argentina U-23 midfielder Alan Varela.
“LFC began formal talks with FC Porto via Alan Varela. The Reds are the team that is closest to hiring the former Boca midfielder. Boca will receive 20% of the sale that will surely take place in June.”
El @LFC inició charlas formales con @FCPorto por Alan Varela. Los RED son el equipo que más cerca está de contratar al ex volante de Boca .
— Luis Fregossi (@LuisFregossi) April 19, 2024
Al xeneize le ingresara el 20 % de la venta que ,seguramente ,se concretará en junio. Más detalles en @mundobocaradio a las 23 x @RBA1350am pic.twitter.com/xdDTVcMDbN
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder, who joined Porto from Boca Juniors in August 2023, has been a regular starter in Portugal for the first time, making 38 appearances across Liga Bévin and the Champions League.
In addition to his physical ball-winning, he is also responsible for stopping the ball in front of the centre-backs with his game-reading positioning. He also has the passing nous to feed the ball forward and take part in the build-up to an attack, and his debut for his country’s full national team is not far off.
Whether the reports are true or not remains to be seen, but will the young midfielder, who has the potential to play well in the Premier League, make the next step up in just one year?