Liverpool are plotting a major midfield overhaul, with TWO exciting young prospects firmly in their sights and Andy Robertson’s Anfield future hanging by a thread.
The Reds have exploded into the race for Ajax teenage sensation Sean Steur, an 18 year old being hailed as the Dutch giants’ BEST midfield prospect since Frenkie de Jong .
And that’s not all. Liverpool are also leading the chase for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson, a £65m (£56m) Swedish starlet who’s got Arsenal and Real Madrid on red alert .
THE ‘NEW FRENKIE’
Sean Steur has taken the Eredivisie by storm this season. The two footed holding midfielder started the campaign with Jong Ajax but has rapidly become a key figure for the first team, racking up 30 appearances across all competitions with two goals and four assists .
Here’s the really exciting bit, some scouts now reckon he could be an even BETTER prospect than AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, who’s been the most heralded young talent in Dutch football .
Eintracht Frankfurt tried to do a deal in January. They pulled out when they realised his reputation is growing so fast he’ll soon be out of reach .
Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all sent spies to multiple Ajax games in recent weeks . Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham and Newcastle are also lurking .
Ajax have him under contract until 2028, so they’re in a strong position. But history tells us they rarely stand in the way when Premier League giants come calling .
THE LARSSON SWEEPSTAKES
Meanwhile, German outlet Fussball Daten reckons Liverpool are leading the race for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson .
The 21 year old Swede, a regular for his national team, is valued at around €65m (£56m) by Frankfurt. Arsenal and Real Madrid are also keen .
Larsson naturally plays as a defensive midfielder, a position where Liverpool look light. With Wataru Endo seeing limited action before his injury and Curtis Jones struggling for form, there’s not much depth behind Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch .
Neither of those two are ideally suited to a holding role. Larsson could be the answer .
ROBERTSON’S GOODBYE?
And now for the painful one. Andy Robertson looks almost certain to leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season .
The Scot, 31, has lost his starting spot to £40m summer signing Milos Kerkez and has started just four Premier League games this term .
“I’ve got five months left and we need to see the option to stay or if there’s options to go,” Robertson admitted recently .
Six clubs are circling. Tottenham, who tried in January, are expected to come back in . Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Wolves are also mentioned, though Wolves would be a non starter as a Championship club.
Atletico Madrid, linked last summer, remains an option . And then there’s Celtic. His boyhood club. The team that RELEASED him as a teenager. That would be some homecoming.
THE VERDICT
Liverpool are clearly thinking long term. Steur and Larsson are both 21 or under, both highly rated across Europe, and both would address that holding midfield problem that’s been evident for a while .
But replacing Robertson? That’s emotional. Eight and a half years. A Champions League. A Premier League. Countless memories.
“If you’re happy to be at Liverpool, wanting to sit on the bench, then you don’t have the right attitude,” he said .
He’s not wrong. And that’s probably why he’s going.
