The Hard Tackle lists three midfielders Liverpool should pursue next summer as they look to continue their squad evolution under Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool’s midfield blueprint for the upcoming season has taken a dramatic turn, following a series of significant updates from the club’s inner circle. Ben Jacobs has revealed on talkSPORT that the Reds are actively planning to recruit a high-calibre midfielder next summer to reinforce the position currently held by Alexis Mac Allister.
The news arrives amidst an underlying contract stalemate that has sent shockwaves through Anfield. While midfield peers Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have recently been rewarded with lucrative, long-term contract extensions, Mac Allister has been left waiting.
Addressing the media ahead of a crucial European tie, Alexis Mac Allister admitted he was left “very, very sad” by the hierarchy’s decision to pause renewal talks. With his current agreement set to expire in 2028, Liverpool’s analytics-driven recruitment strategy appears dispassionate.
Rather than tying him down, they seem intent on evaluating his performances over the current campaign while actively drawing up a shortlist of elite, younger alternatives who can reshape the squad’s tactical ceiling. Under Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s tactical framework requires a specialist, long-term anchor. Securing a top-class holding midfielder will serve a dual purpose: providing an elite defensive shield while unlocking the full attacking potential of the squad.
A dedicated anchor will hold the fort in the middle of the park, allowing Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, and Mac Allister himself should he see out his contract, the tactical liberty to push forward, press high, and impact the final third without leaving the backline exposed. The following three realistic, stylistically perfect holding midfielders fit Liverpool’s age profile and data-driven recruitment model.
Lamine Camara
Lamine Camara has enjoyed an astronomical rise in Ligue 1, cementing himself as one of Europe’s premier young defensive disruptors. Since his move to AS Monaco, the Senegalese international has garnered a reputation for elite high-intensity pressing and physical dominance, qualities that make him suitable for the Premier League.
His displays have captured the attention of top-tier clubs across the continent, with Chelsea coming close to securing his services in a deadline-day summer move. However, reports confirm that Lamine Camara is highly receptive to a Merseyside switch, with Chelsea and Arsenal among the clubs to recently scout him.
- Tactical Fit: Camara operates as a high-volume defensive presence, averaging 4.2 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, demonstrating an innate capacity to disrupt opposition counter-attacks before they reach the defensive line.
- Underlying Data: His physical output is married to exceptional vertical progression, with Camara ranking in the 88th percentile for progressive passes (6.8 per 90) among European midfielders, showing he does not just win the ball but immediately triggers transitions.
- The Case Against: Camara’s ultra-aggressive style can occasionally lead to disciplinary trouble, and adapting to the relentless, physical pacing of Andoni Iraola’s press may lead to an initial spike in fouls conceded in dangerous areas.
Adam Wharton
Since his breakthrough in the Premier League, Adam Wharton has earned widespread plaudits for his mature, metronomic presence in the heart of Crystal Palace’s midfield. The Englishman’s elite positional awareness and composure under intense pressure have already propelled him into the England senior setup.
Often described by scouts as entirely “unflappable,” his age profile and rapid developmental trajectory make him a premier candidate for a long-term anchor role at Anfield. However, like Camara, Wharton is a hot property in the market, with Chelsea and Newcastle United also vying for his signature.
- Tactical Fit: Wharton acts as an elite deep-lying playmaker, boasting a short-to-medium passing accuracy of 89.4% under pressure, which would allow Liverpool to build cleanly out of the back against high-pressing opponents.
- Underlying Data: Defensively sound, Wharton excels in spatial positioning, recording 2.6 blocks and 1.9 interceptions per 90 minutes, relying on reading of the game rather than raw physical duels to break up opposition plays.
- The Case Against: Crystal Palace value Wharton as an irreplaceable asset, meaning Liverpool would face paying an eye-watering sum that could conflict with their dispassionate, strict market valuation models. The Eagles already blocked a move this past summer when Manchester City pursued a deal, and there is nothing to suggest it won’t happen again.
Manu Kone
After an impressive tenure in the Bundesliga, Kone’s high-profile move to AS Roma has further refined his tactical versatility despite some initial hiccups. A key figure for France during their recent campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 25-year-old provides a unique blend of robust defensive steel and press-resistant ball carrying.
The Frenchman’s capacity to operate effectively in a double pivot or as a lone anchor makes him a highly flexible asset for any elite tactical system. However, like the other options, Kone retains popularity in the market, with Chelsea still interested in him after chasing a deadline-day deal.
- Tactical Fit: Kone is structurally elite at absorbing pressure, ranking in the top 5% of European midfielders for successful take-ons (2.4 per 90) from deep positions, turning defensive scenarios into offensive momentum.
- Underlying Data: The AS Roma midfielder maintains an exceptional 84% success rate in ground duels, showcasing the physical resilience needed to insulate a backline while matching up against physical Premier League midfields.
- The Case Against: Kone has an extensive history of minor muscle injuries, a medical profile that could pose a substantial risk for a club requiring an ever-present anchor to manage a multi-front campaign, particularly in a system that requires a high physical floor.
