Romeo Lavia could be Liverpool’s best acquisition after Dominik Szoboszlai.
Dominik Szoboszlai, a summer acquisition from RB Leipzig, will be made by Liverpool. The playmaker’s £60 million release clause was exercised by the Reds to bring him to Anfield after they paid £35 million to £55 million to acquire Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Following a disappointing 2022–2023 season, the pair will be a part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield makeover, and Liverpool may not be done there. The Merseyside team is also interested in midfield players Khephren Thuram, Ryan Gravenberch, Gabri Veiga, and Manu Kone.
However, Liverpool may have their eye on another player who would make the ideal third acquisition. Romeo Lavia of Southampton is that man, and Chelsea and Arsenal are also quite interested in him.
The defensive-minded midfielder from Belgium might complete a new-look trio with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. Due to their unsuccessful attempt to purchase Aurelien Tchouameni a year ago before he joined Real Madrid, Liverpool has the least amount of cover at position six.
Both Stefan Bajcetic and Jordan Henderson can play there, but Bajcetic, who turns 19 in October, is still filling out his frame, so the Reds will be careful not to overload the sophisticated Spaniard. Henderson, at 33, is starting to lose his game. Although Mac Allister is signed to play as a No 8, he can also function as a No 6.
Even though Lavia is only 19 years old, she is more physically at ease than Bajcetic. With fewer than 50 first-team games, Lavia has less experience than Liverpool often prefers, but he has undoubtedly demonstrated his talent at the Premier League level.
He excelled and was voted the Southern Daily Echo’s Player of the Year after 29 top-flight matches, despite Southampton’s relegation the previous season. It is anticipated that the Belgian will cost a club between £40 million and £50 million to sign.
But more than simply his age and physique contribute to Klopp and company’s decision to recruit him. With the signing of Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s 2023–24 Premier League roster will only include one non-homegrown player.
Additionally, Lavia would not occupy that last position, allowing them to sign another player without being restricted. If Liverpool choose to recruit a center-back despite Thuram’s acquisition, their options would be limited to either domestic players or those under the age of 21.
There must be eight homegrown players on the maximum-size 25-man roster. However, teams are also allowed to name as many players under 21 (born on or after January 1, 2002) as they choose, as long as they are not included in the 25.
Lavia won’t have to be included on the 25-man roster until 2026–2027 because of his advanced age. He will finally be considered homegrown by then, having played for three seasons prior to turning 21 for an English team. He spent a year at Manchester City prior to moving to Southampton.
Given the departure of James Milner, the aging of Jordan Henderson, and the questionable long-term prospects of Joe Gomez, Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips, and Sepp van den Berg, Liverpool will be acutely aware that they cannot afford to overlook their domestic issue. And that might make Lavia their perfect third summer signing, in addition to his other attributes and potential.
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