Liverpool and the search for midfielders - Bellingham, Fernandez, Amrabat

With the January transfer window looming large, Liverpool have already been linked with a variety of players to bolster the squad.

Midfield has often been the cause of fan debates over where the Reds need to desperately strengthen, and as always, there have been plenty of rumours around which next big star will make the move to Anfield.

In this article, we take a look at six names that have already been linked following stunning World Cup performances and debate how realistic it would be for them to join Jurgen Klopp's side.

Jude Bellingham

Of course, we start with the dream signing. 19-year-old Bellingham has already made a huge impression for club and country, with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder generating huge interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The stumbling block for the Reds could be the asking price, with the England international apparently having a set price of £100 million. However, with the player's father apparently favouring the move to Anfield, as cited by the official Anfield Watch Twitter account, and the fact that Bellingham seemed to strike a bond with current Reds midfielder Jordan Henderson at the World Cup, Liverpool cannot give up just yet.

Enzo Fernandez

The FIFA World Cup 2022 Young Player of the Tournament. Enzo Fernandez played a starring role in midfield for Argentina as they went on to win the tournament, and Fernandez's stock has soared.

The 21-year-old currently plays for Portuguese side Benfica, having moved to Portugal over the summer from River Plate.

A bit like Bellingham, Fernandez will be a difficult deal to do for Liverpool, as the Argentine will not be sold on the cheap, with the current Portuguese league leaders saying he will only leave Benfica if his release clause (believed to be around £106m according to Record Portugal and Fabrizio Romano), is met.

Sofyan Amrabat

A player who shot himself onto the world scene with Morocco, the 26-year-old defensive midfielder was one of the stand out players in Qatar, as he helped his nation to the semi-finals - a historic moment for the African and Arab world.

According to stats provided by Squawka, Amrabat won possession more times for his country than any other player at the tournament. This feels like a realistic deal for Liverpool to be able to pull off, with his club Fiorentina willing to do a deal for around £45 million according to rumours.

However, the last Amrabat that played in the Premier League was his older brother Nordin, and he didn't exactly set the world alight in his 48 appearances for Watford from January 2o16-September 2017.

Yunus Musah

The left-field choice, and another player who had an eye-catching World Cup was American Yunus Musah. The ex Arsenal academy graduate earned 6 caps at England Under-17 level and 9 caps at Under 18-level before switching his international allegiance to the USA in November 2020.

The 20-year-old really stood out against England at the tournament when the two sides drew 0-0 in the second group game and has recently been named as a potential new midfield signing for the Reds.

As cited by Anfield Watch, former USMNT legend Eric Wynelda has "encouraged" Musah to sign for Liverpool following their reported interest in him. However, Musah has been linked with his former club Arsenal as well in January, and with his current club Valencia in financial debt and needing cash - this is a move that could be one to watch.

Anfield Watch Verdict

Liverpool may have regretted missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer, but I feel that they will bring in a midfielder in January, possibly two depending on situations of players such as Naby Keita, who has been linked with a move away.

I do feel that it is almost impossible for them to get both Bellingham and Fernandez in the summer, yet alone bring one of them in ahead of the January window opening. The question will be asked ahead of next summer's window - will Liverpool spend over £100m on either Bellingham or Fernandez to break their transfer record?

I could see Amrabat happening - he had a fantastic World Cup and would offer another option to midfield for the Reds, but in my opinion, Musah doesn't feel like a Jurgen Klopp or Liverpool signing - if anything a return to Arsenal feels more likely.

But the Reds do need fresh faces in their midfield for sure.