Ex-Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann believes his former club should be looking at bringing in some attack-minded midfielders to strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s options in the middle of the park.

Danny Murphy and Robbie Fowler have both recommended that the Reds go after West Ham’s Declan Rice but Hamann feels someone like Newcastle’s Joelinton would be a better option:

“Declan Rice is a very capable player but I think it depends on how Fabinho comes back into the season because he’s been really disappointing but he’s a really brilliant player. I would like Liverpool to sign someone a bit more adventurous, someone like Joelinton from Newcastle who has a physical presence, can get you a goal and he has the full package. A player like him would suit Liverpool down to the ground. I think getting a player of his quality in January is near enough impossible and that should’ve been done in the summer.”

It is a rather surprising recommendation from Hamann. Joelinton joined Newcastle for £40m in 2019 and he was ostensibly signed as a striker. Since then, manager Eddie Howe has successfully converted him into a midfielder.

The Brazilian’s physicality and work rate means he would certainly fit the mould in terms of what is needed but you can’t see the Magpies letting him go.

To be fair, the likelihood of snapping up Rice is just as low. Competition from the likes of Chelsea would make a move difficult, even before we factor in the cost of the deal.

At the moment, RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham appear to be Liverpool’s two main targets to reinforce the midfield.