Liverpool supporters in the Transfer Tavern are just about getting over their team’s disappointing Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid last month, what with the Reds going down 3-1 to the Spanish heavyweights.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into their clash with the two-times defending champions hopeful that they could indeed clinch a sixth European crown, having beaten the likes of Porto, Manchester City, and Roma en route to the showpiece. However, they were second-best in Kiev on May 26 as a Gareth Bale double alongside Karim Benzema’s goal sealed victory for Real, in turn clinching them a third successive Champions League crown, and 13th in their history.
As such, there have been many despondent Liverpudlians in the Tavern in recent times, although several are turning their attentions towards the summer window, and thus are likely to be intrigued by recent reports linking their club with a move for Southampton’s Alex McCarthy.
And while the 28-year-old would likely be a useful addition to Klopp’s squad, they should forget about him, as £13.5 million-rated ace Mario Lemina (as per Transfermarkt) is the next Southampton star who should move to Anfield.
Ultimately, while there is little doubting that Englishman McCarthy is an accomplished Premier League goalkeeper, as evidenced by his efforts for the Saints this season, he simply isn’t going to help take Liverpool to the next level – he isn’t the world class goalkeeper they need.
Whereas Southampton teammate Lemina would add a great deal to the central midfield department at Anfield, an area of the squad many of our resident Reds fans feel needs strengthening this summer to bridge the gap to Manchester City.
Naby Keita is of course moving to Merseyside this summer and will certainly bolster those midfield ranks, but with Emre Can set to leave the club, and doubts still circling over Adam Lallana’s long-term fitness, another addition is likely needed – Lemina should be that man.
The 24-year-old only made the move to St Mary’s last summer after a spell at Italian giants Juventus, and he certainly proved his worth in the Premier League this term with 24 appearances for the Saints, and ultimately being a rare bright spark in an otherwise forgettable campaign for the South Coast club.
And with ability in getting up and down the pitch to help out in both final thirds, alongside capabilities on the ball with his excellent vision as well as off it as a result of his strength and positional awareness, it’s clear that he has all the ingredients to go on and become a top-quality Premier League midfielder.
And with some in the Tavern arguing that Liverpool have been in need of greater presence and industry in the heart of their midfield this season, the Gabon international could well be the answer, and as such would add more to the Reds than that of teammate McCarthy.
Thus, the Merseyside heavyweights should opt against making a move for the 28-year-old, as his Saints teammate Lemina should be the next man to swap St Mary’s for Anfield.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
