Although the transfer window is not yet officially open, the start of the summer transfer window at Anfield has already been loaded after agreeing to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate.

Following the imminent departure of midfielder Gini Wijnaldum, the club have been linked with Belgium international and Leicester City star Youri Tielemans. The 24-year-old Belgian has had an excellent 2020/21 campaign, scoring nine goals and recording six assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for Brendan Rodgers’ side, including a stunning FA Cup winner against Chelsea.

However, after the Foxes failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season, the former Anderlecht and Monaco midfielder could consider leaving the club this summer and playing for a team. who can offer Champions League football.

According to Leicestershire Live, Klopp is expected to offer a fee of around £ 70million to sign the midfielder. But is the Belgian the right kind of midfielder Liverpool are looking for who can really elevate them to the next level?

Tielemans has mainly been used as a deep playmaker under Brendan Rodgers in either a 4-2-3-1 and more towards the end of the season in a 3-4-1-2 system, but when needed , he has also proven to be a creative central / attacking midfielder in the absence of James Maddison in his absence.

In 37 PL starts last season, the 38-cap international directly contributed 10 goals (six goals and four assists) as well as three goals and two assists in the Foxes’ successful FA Cup campaign. . This is an improvement over Liverpool midfielders in the 2020/21 campaign in terms of goal contributions across all competitions, with Curtis Jones leading among Reds midfielders with nine contributions from Direct goals in all competitions (four goals, five assists) followed by Xherdan Shaqiri used sparingly with five direct goal contributions (one goal, four assists) and Wijnaldum soon started with three direct goal contributions (three goals, no assist).

In addition, more regular midfield figures such as Jordan Henderson recorded just two direct contributions to goals in all competitions (one goal, one assist), Thiago (one goal, no assist) and James Milner. (no goals, one assist) contributed only one. the injury plagued Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (one goal, one assist) and Naby Keita (no goals or assists) only contributed two between them.

This lack of an offensive threat from the Liverpool midfielder is clearly an issue for Klopp to be addressed this summer, and while Tielemans is not necessarily someone primarily associated with being a scoring midfielder, he is certainly someone. ‘one with a real sense of purpose, as evidenced by his astonishing FA Cup winner against Chelsea in May.

In addition, the Belgian is a player with an excellent range of passing, position awareness and a great engine. Tielemans is a very versatile player capable of playing a defensive or attacking role in midfield.

Therefore, Tielemans would likely excel in Liverpool’s midfield three in their 4-3-3 system. He would most likely be seen as a direct replacement for Gini Wijnaldum by lining up as one of two number eight roles alongside Thiago Alcantara – who became increasingly influential with a Liverpool side towards the end. of the last campaign after a difficult start to the season – and the other options available.

Due to his versatility, the Belgian could cover Fabinho as well. It was evident last season that Liverpool were sorely lacking in the Brazilian’s presence in midfield when he had to be maneuvered at center-back.

At Tielemans, they would have a player who has experience in a more defensive role at the highest level compared to Jones, Chamberlain and Milner. This would allow Klopp more tactical flexibility in the next campaign, perhaps allowing Liverpool to line up in a perhaps more pragmatic 4-2-3-1 approach against the more dangerously offensive teams compared to their own. more conventional 4-3-3 formation if desired.

Tielemans signing this summer to replace Wijnaldum would undoubtedly be an important statement. Wijnaldum was always there for Klopp, and Tielemans’ consistency and profile seem to match. Moreover, looking at the comparative contributions to Klopp’s side’s goals, the midfielder’s arrival would certainly be further enhanced.

Valued at around £ 70million and under contract until 2023, rewarding the player will not be an easy task. However, if Liverpool can, it would represent a major blow and could prove to be an invaluable addition to the manager’s transition from one winning Liverpool side to another.