Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman does not believe either Douglas Luiz or Youri Tielemans would be good signings for the Reds.

The pair (who have also been linked with Arsenal) could be available on free transfers next summer, but McManaman doesn’t believe either player would improve Jurgen Klopp’s options in the middle of the park:

“I’m not convinced it will be a smart bit of business by Liverpool to move for Douglas Luiz, regardless of whether his contract is expiring or not. I think he’s a good player, but I believe he needs to be quicker in a lot of the things he does to suit the style of football that Liverpool play. You want to sign players that can get in Liverpool’s starting eleven and not just players who want to come and sit in a squad.”

“Youri Tielemans’ contract is also set to expire at the same time, but if you’re to play for the best teams in Europe, it’s hard to find the right players that will improve your side. I don’t want to be disparaging towards either of these two players because they’re good Premier League players. Are they good enough to get in the starting line-up of one of the world’s best teams? I just don’t think so at the moment.”

While there is a good case to be made that Liverpool should not splash out cash on Luiz and Tielemans, McManaman’s suggestion that neither midfielder is worth signing under any circumstances is surprising.

The Reds are expected to let Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave when his contract expires in June, while both Naby Keita and James Milner could follow him out of the door.

Losing three midfield options without receiving a transfer fee would put pressure on the club’s finances if they had to spend money to replace all of them. Bringing in a player on a free, like Luiz or Tielemans, would make more sense in order to increase numbers.