It has been well documented in recent years that Liverpool are lacking one or two key positions that restrict them from challenging league leaders Manchester City. One is the lack of a renowned defensive midfielder to provide cover for a suspect defence. The world-record signing of Virgil Van Dijk has certainly helped, but there is still an issue at hand and #Napoli midfielder Jorginho has been touted by the media as the man at the top of Klopp's shortlist. There is currently an unwavering cry for Klopp to sign a replacement for new Barcelona number 14 Phillipe Coutinho but with the front three of Salah, Firmino and Mane currently playing scintillating #Football, a tactic of employing new talent in key positions could prove more vital than an out and out replacement for the Brazilian.
The Need for a Number 6
Whilst #Liverpool are currently competing both domestically and only a mandatory 90 minutes stand between them and a quarter-final in the Champions League after Sadio Mane's hat-trick helped them to a 5-0 win in Portugal. But with the continual mistakes of Dejan Lovren and ever-present issues between the sticks, improving the defence is the key to transforming this Liverpool side into title challengers. A holding midfielder is the key to all Premier League champions, last season's winners Chelsea have N'Golo Kante and soon to be this year's champions Manchester City have Fernandinho. Even top 4 contenders Manchester United and Tottenham have Matic and Wanyama, the traditional number 6 is the cornerstone for any title-winning side; a position missing at Liverpool since Mascherano left in 2010.
What makes Jorginho such an enticing prospect for the reds is his creative capabilities as a deep-lying playmaker. Under Maurizio Sarri's stewardship, he has been transformed from an attacking midfielder into a defensive midfielder.
The Missing Man
This transition represents his tag as an all-rounded central midfielder, his new-found defensive capabilities allow him to sit into that number 6 role.
He already boasts four goals and four assists in 29 appearances thus far this season, his attacking abilities from such a deep role would allow him to contribute to the offensive force Liverpool already possess. He can drive the ball up the pitch and draw the opposition out of position to create space for attackers and pick off key passes which he has done countless times for Napoli this season.
Particularly in their recent 4-1 win over Lazio as his one-two passing with Insigne took multiple players out of the game meaning he could feed Zielinski after drawing out the centre-back. He would play a role that Liverpool desperately miss and with the only player who currently occupies this role, Emre Can is destined to join Serie A with Juventus once his contract expires at the end of the season. With 32 key passes played he represents an ability to create from deep areas, a talent that no current Liverpool midfielder has. With a combination of creative ability and defensive capability, if Liverpool can convince him to swap Italy for Merseyside he will prove to be an astute purchase for Jurgen Klopp.
This could however prove difficult, as his agent recently responded to rumours linking his client to both Manchester clubs by dismissing them as it rains too much in Manchester. With Liverpool only down the M62, convincing Jorginho to join the ranks next season could be tricky.
