Ex-Liverpool defender Jose Enrique says his former club could have solved their problems in midfield by making a move for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

Chelsea and Manchester United are believed to be competing for the Dutchman’s signature, who could cost as much as €85m (£72m) and, while he would like the Reds to sign the player, Enrique acknowledges that de Jong may be outside the club’s price range:

To expensive for the way we sign players but he will be the top class one for us https://t.co/jgoF3Vxmxv

— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) August 8, 2022

While de Jong is a very good player, he does prefer to play as a deep-lying playmaker, which isn’t a position that manager Jurgen Klopp has in his 4-3-3 system.

A holding midfielder is utlised but Fabinho’s role is very different, with his job more focused on disrupting opponents, gaining possession and setting up counter-attacks.

De Jong’s reluctance to leave Barca is also a red flag. Klopp generally only signs players if he knows their 100% committed to the cause, and he would probably have steered clear of the Netherlands international even if the money was available.