Liverpool linked with two Argentinian midfielders

Liverpool have been credited with interest in two Argentine midfield stars.

Despite an extensive midfield overhaul during the summer which involved the departures of club captain and vice-captain Jordan Henderson and James Milner, along with established stars Fabinho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, the Reds continue to be linked with more players in the centre of the park.

The latest names to be linked with Liverpool are both from Argentina, with the first story coming courtesy of Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian outlet claims that Boca Juniors star Ezequiel Fernandez is on the Reds' radar, while also attracting interest from AC Milan and Benfica.

Interestingly, the 21-year-old is a defensive midfielder – who studies Sergio Busquets according to Gazzetta's report – a position Liverpool may still be on the lookout for.

Despite spending £145m on new midfield talent this summer, there are question marks over the Reds' lack of depth in the 'number six' role.

Mac Allister has been preferred as Jurgen Klopp's deepest-lying midfielder so far in 2023/24, ahead of fellow new arrival Endo.

There has been much debate about Mac Allister's best position, while, at 30, it appears Endo is not a long-term solution. Meanwhile, Spanish duo Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are both currently injured.

Copa Libertadores showdown

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool remain interested in Andre Trindade of Fluminense and would have priority to complete a deal in January for the 22-year-old, once his Copa Libertadores campaign is finished.

Coincidentally, Andre will face off against Fernandez in next month's Copa Libertadores final when Fluminense take on Boca at the Maracana in Rio.

The showpiece event could be another opportunity for Liverpool to run the rule over the two stars.

There is no mention in Gazzetta's report of how much Fernandez would cost, though it is noted that he is under contract until 2025.

High praise

Fernandez has a fan in ex-Boca star and Liverpool's own Mac Allister.

Speaking while still a Brighton player earlier this year, the Reds' number 10 told TyC Sports: “If you ask me a little more about my style, there is a player that I really like and that is Equi Fernández. He is a player who has all the conditions to reach Europe one day and I hope that can happen to him.

“He is a player that I like a lot, he understands the game a lot. He is always prepared to receive the ball, he plays with both legs, he can play as a five, as an inside player… he is a player who has certain very good conditions and, if Brighton asked me, I would say his name.”

Latest Salah successor?

Fernandez is not the only Argentinian Liverpool are being linked with.

Calcio Mercato claim that the Reds – along with Chelsea – are watching Nico Gonzalez of Fiorentina.

The 25-year-old signed a new deal with La Viola only recently, but is still attracting transfer interest, with Liverpool supposedly sending scouts to watch the right winger ‘on several occasions’.

According to the report, Fiorentina want between €55m (£48m) and €60m (£52.5m) to sell their star man, who has five goals in six Serie A starts so far this season, having turned down a €43m (£37.5m) bid from Brentford during the summer.

While Fernandez would come in to address the 'number six' depth, Gonzalez – who has 25 caps for the Argentina seniors – could be seen as a potential Mohamed Salah successor, should the Egyptian leave for the Saudi Pro League next summer.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of attacking targets, including Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane, as speculation over Salah's future continues to swirl.

Anfield Watch understands that the Reds have also been monitoring Montpellier's Mousa Tamari, but view the Jordanian forward as someone who could complement Salah rather than replace him.