Liverpool may have finally got what they were looking for. The Reds are in a dire need of midfield reinforcements, and they are looking for them in every direction. Their last significant signing in that area was Thiago Alcantara, signed from Bayern Munich in 2020 for €30m. However, with the Spaniard beyond his 30s, and reaching approaching the twilight years of his career, along with club captain Jordan Henderson [32], Liverpool are on the lookout of a couple of midfielders to secure their future in that position.
But manager Jurgen Klopp has already insisted that it has to be the player with the right profile, and not a just a quantity signing. Moreover, their experience with Arthur Melo served them a befitting example of going for a hasty buy, and hence the Reds are cautiously exploring the market for a midfielder or two. With Jude Bellingham their priority, another player who has popped up on their radar is Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.
Liverpool impressed with Merino’s qualities as they plot a €60m swoop in for him
According to The Boot Room, Liverpool are heavily impressed with Merino’s astute qualities, who operates as a deep-lying playmaker for the Basque club. The 26-year-old is in his prime years, and possesses all the qualities to lead a midfield, as he currently does at Sociedad. Liverpool believe he fits their criteria from all angles and that it would a perfect signing for their midfield.
Moreover, his quaities have even earned Merino high praises, so much so that his former boss Rafa Benitez even likening him to Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso. The midfielder spent a year on loan at Newcastle during the 17/18 season, when the former Liverpool boss was in charge of the Magpies. Merino played 25 games under him, and Benitez was so impressed that he right away compared the midfielder to his former player Alonso. Benitez had told Chronicle Live at that time:
“There are similarities [between Alonso and Merino]. I will tell you, though it maybe sounds stupid, that they are both Basque – from the Basque country. They are similar because of the position they are in and the way they read the game. Alonso’s long passing was better but Merino is more mobile and more dynamic.”
Alonso too was a versatile midfielder who could operate both as a holding midfielder as well as box-to-box player who could create goals. The Spaniard featured in 210 games for Liverpool before moving to Real Madrid, and chipped-in with 38 goal contributions [18 goals and 20 assists]. Merino too happens to be of a similar mould, having so far racked up 18 goals and 23 assists in 175 games for Real Sociedad.
The midfielder has alone amassed 7 assists and a goal in 15 La Liga outings this season, and looks set to easily cross the double figure mark for goal creations. A player who has a stamped authority of becoming one of the bests by a legendary Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez could be enough for the Reds to bring him to Anfield. His current deal with the Spanish side ends in the summer of 2025, and has a release clause of €60m.
While the clause won’t be a problem to the Reds, it would however coincide with their pursuit for Bellingham. Borussia Dortmund have demanded a triple-figure fee for anyone who wants to take their asset away and Liverpool are evidently saving for him by not spending on a midfielder now. However, there’s no denying that Merino could be a beneficial signing for Liverpool, as his versatility is what is being missed at Anfield right now.