Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Liverpool still need to add reinforcements in midfield if they are to become genuine contenders for the Premier League title again.

The Reds have already recruited Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for a combined £95m this summer, but Merson feels that “someone like” Moises Caicedo, who worked in tandem with Mac Allister at Brighton, is required to complete the midfield revamp:

“They need a lot more than just Mac Allister to become a force to be reckoned with once again. haven’t seen enough of Dominik Szoboszlai to pass a judgment, but if you’re a Liverpool fan, you’d be hoping he has the legs and the engine to give them what they missed dearly last season.”

“Additionally, Mac Allister flourished at Brighton with someone like Moises Caicedo next to him, with the Ecuador international’s engine and defensive acumen acting as the perfect foil to his skillset. He’s an absolute bargain for £35 million, but I still think Liverpool need more midfield reinforcements.”

Liverpool’s next transfer target

You do have to give tremendous credit to the Merseyside club for recruiting Szoboszlai and Mac Allister so early on in the transfer window, and it will allow manager Jurgen Klopp to get them acclimatised to a new system right from the beginning of pre-season.

However, Merson is right on the money when he says that Liverpool need more “legs” in the middle of the park, and that may be why Klopp’s side are so keen on recruiting someone like Romeo Lavia from Southampton, due his young age and dynamism.

In terms of Caicedo, the Ecuadorian is way out of the Reds’ price range. Chelsea are currently in negotiations to sign the player and, while they were hoping to do a deal for £85m, Brighton are reportedly demanding closer to £100m.