Liverpool have golden chance to REPEAT Gini Wijnaldum transfer trick

Arne Slot once said that every team in the Premier League had at least one player capable of playing for a top-five club.

Even in relegation-threatened teams, there are gems to be had and Liverpool have had success recruiting from that level with Andy Robertson, Xherdan Shaqiri and Gini Wijnaldum among those arriving after experiencing the drop.

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Wijnaldum had a big impact on the Reds’ midfield having signed in the summer of 2016 for £25 million from Newcastle.

The Dutchman only spent one year on Tyneside, top-scoring for the relegated Magpies, before immediately bouncing back to the Premier League with the Reds under Jurgen Klopp.

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He became a mainstay of Klopp’s successful era - helping the club win Champions League, Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup honours - before departing for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in 2021.

Liverpool watching Bilal El Khannouss

And Liverpool now have a chance to repeat their Wijnaldum trick for another soon-to-be relegated midfield star.

Bilal El Khannouss has been on the Reds’ recruitment radar since his days as a young player in Belgium, where he played for Anderlecht before moving to Genk.

The club were even linked with a bid but were seemingly unprepared to shell out around £21m for an unproven talent from the Belgian leagues. The club’s interest in El Khannouss was first revealed by Anfield Watch.

Leicester City took the plunge last summer, signing the 20-year-old to a contract until 2028. Liverpool scouts were taken with the Morocco international’s technical ability and positional awareness and also his energy and ability to cover ground.

Should Liverpool repeat Wijnaldum trick?

Those characteristics have been on display during an otherwise AWFUL season for the Foxes. Facing the drop, Leicester’s one and only bright spot has been the form of El Khannouss.

While some fans are pining for the attacking midfielder to stay and help battle back to the top flight, PSR requirements could see Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side face bids in the summer.

Who is to say Liverpool won’t be among them?

El Khannouss had perhaps his best Leicester game to date in the weekend draw with Brighton. He was a creative tour de force, laying on four key passes and also providing an assist for Caleb Okoli.

El Khannouss is surrounded by mediocrity in this current Leicester set-up, with a run of 15 defeats in 16 Premier League matches sure to affect morale.

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But he’s demonstrated even in the most dire of circumstances that he has the capabilities needed to thrive on the top-flight stage. Let's see what the weekend brings when Leicester host the Reds.