Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that summer signing Alexis Mac Allister has the ability to play in a deeper midfield role amid a lack of bodies in the centre of the pitch.
The Reds have seen their midfield gutted since the end of last season. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all left as free agents, while Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have also since been sold to Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq respectively.
Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have each arrived for a combined worth in excess of £100m, but neither is known as a defensive midfielder.
Klopp lined up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation for Monday’s pre-season win over Darmstadt, played at Preston’s Deepdale due to the ongoing work at Anfield, with Mac Allister asked to play in the ‘number six’ role for the first time.
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“We have to try it and test a couple of different things,” the boss explained, although he is only willing to use that option in certain circumstances.
“Yes, in a compact formation, Alexis can definitely play there. If he’s there alone, should he play there? No. But now he showed just how good a footballer he is and how good he understands the game because he played there now [for] the first time, for us at least, and he did really well.”
Liverpool remain keen on Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia to solve their difficulties. Three bids for the 19-year-old have already been rejected, starting at £35m, then increasing to £42m and, most recently, £45m. 90min understands that Southampton have asked for £50m throughout.
The Reds also have an eye on 22-year-old Fluminense midfielder Andre Trindade.
