Liverpool have been tipped to sign Leicester City starlet James Maddison and could even bring him in as early as January, says Noel Whelan speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The ex-footballer turned co-commentator, who had spells at Leeds United, Coventry City, and Middlesborough believes that the England international shares many similarities with former Reds star Philippe Coutinho and that he would fit in well at Anfield, as he is “absolutely a Liverpool type of player.”
Since Coutinho departed Merseyside, Liverpool wisely reinvested his transfer fee across the pitch to make Jurgen Klopp’s side more well-rounded. However, the lack of potency from midfield (criticised by pundits such as ex-Reds legend Graeme Souness) which the Brazilian once provided seems to be the one hurdle they are yet to overcome.
For example, no Liverpool midfielder has averaged more than 0.5 key passes per game this season and, while a lot of the creativity does appear to come from their full-backs considering the number of assists they recorded last season, more penetration from the engine room does appear to be an area on which they can improve.
By bringing in Maddison though, he could solve that. According to Whelan, “He’s similar in many ways- great feet, can run with the ball, can see a pass that no one else can and scores wonder goals”
Whelan has kept tabs on the 22-year-old’s development as he has come through the ranks at Coventry City then taken his game to the next level at Norwich City and beyond. He is not the only one keeping a close eye though as he believes “all the big teams will be watching him”.
Despite his age, he does feel the move would be an investment into the future too. Whelan adds: “He still young but already he’s a real gem and his value is going to get higher and higher over the next few years.”
“Liverpool will also have money to spend after not buying anyone senior this summer. Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment team have a brilliant record in the transfer market, and Maddison could fit in well.
“All the big teams will be watching him, but they will know he won’t come cheap. Can Liverpool sign him in January? Of course. They got [Virgil] Van Dijk in a January window and haven’t looked back.”
Given that the club signed Virgil van Dijk in the January window back in 2018, he believes they could do so again with the potential addition of Maddison, who created 100 chances in the Premier League last season.
Could Maddison improve Liverpool? Join the discussion by commenting below…
