Former target Raphael Guerreiro may be able to help Liverpool strengthen in both midfield and defense this summer
With Liverpool’s most underwhelming and disappointing 2022/23 season finally over, Kopites’ attentions will inevitably turn to the summer transfer window as Jurgen Klopp attempts to resurrect his side.
Fabio Carvalho’s departure will bring the total number of departing players to six, with more expected to follow. In turn, a number of new arrivals are expected as the Reds address their aging squad following a transitional campaign in which they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
After spending the previous 18 months overhauling their attack, bringing in Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo, club executives are now looking to revamp their midfield. In reality, talk of much-needed engine-room surgery has ultimately dominated Liverpool’s floundering campaign.
After withdrawing from the race to sign long-term target Jude Bellingham, Alexis Mac Allister of Brighton & Hove Albion appears to have emerged as the Reds’ new priority. There is also interest in Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, though reports claim the former prefers a move to Manchester United and the latter is not for sale.
Regardless of the outcome of Liverpool’s pursuits of the aforementioned trio, it is clear that the club is in desperate need of several new midfielders. But that will not be the end of their recruitment efforts.
When asked about the possibility of signing a new centre-back earlier this month, Klopp admitted that the only position the Reds are not looking to strengthen is goalkeeping.
“We’re looking in all departments except goalkeeper right now,” the German explained. “I would not deny it if there is a good one (center-back) out there.” That’s all there is to it. We definitely look at all aspects of the pitch.”
With the likes of Nat Phillips and Joel Matip linked with Anfield exits, and Joe Gomez continuing to fall short of expectations, such an admission about a potential new centre-back is not surprising. But it’s intriguing to see what else it could lead to.
Given that Roberto Firmino is leaving Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of his contract after scoring in his final two appearances against Aston Villa and Southampton, it would appear that bringing in a new forward to replace the Brazilian, despite the quality of the Reds’ remaining senior options, is not entirely ruled out.
However, Klopp’s admission may result in changes at full-back as well. Given that the position has been a source of strength and vital to Liverpool’s identity for so many seasons, it is a welcome change from previous seasons. However, the club’s senior options on both flanks may face doubts about their futures for a variety of reasons.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the first. He’s not going anywhere, but it’s possible that his future does not lie at right-back. The England international has thrived as a ‘inverted full-back’ over the last two months, completely reversing his fortunes in what had been a poor individual season.
When asked if he now considers himself a midfielder, he replied, “Good question!” “I am both.” When it comes to the ball, I consider myself a midfielder. “I see myself as a right-back without the ball.”
With his role changed to central midfield when the Reds have the ball, he returned a goal and seven assists as Liverpool finished the season on an 11-game unbeaten streak. As a result, Klopp has hinted that the 24-year-old’s playing time next season may be dictated by summer transfer business, while England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed Alexander-Arnold is a midfield option for the Three Lions.
“If it is long term, we will see; it just depends on the new players that we bring in,” Klopp said after Liverpool’s win over Brentford earlier this month, according to Sky Sports.
As a result, it is unclear whether Alexander-Arnold will continue to play as an inverted full-back, return to his more traditional right-back duties, or make a full transition to midfield next season. In reality, such a decision is linked to the success of the Reds’ engine-room revamp, as well as the availability of suitable right-backs.
Calvin Ramsay and Conor Bradley are two talented reserve players for Liverpool. Despite this, the Scotland international has only made two appearances in his debut season on Merseyside due to injury.
In contrast, the Northern Ireland international thrived on loan at League One side Bolton Wanderers, and Klopp has already stated that he intends to evaluate the youngster during pre-season. Nonetheless, both are only 19 years old.
Meanwhile, with Gomez out of form and senior option James Milner set to leave at the end of his contract, club executives must make a decision about Liverpool’s right-back options for next season.
Question marks appear on the opposing flank as well, with Milner’s departure ensuring that there is one less option on the left. Current understudy Kostas Tsimikas has been linked with a summer move, with fans speculating that the sight of the Greek crying at Anfield after Liverpool’s final home game of the season could be a sign that he intends to leave.
Andy Robertson, Scotland’s captain, would be a surprise departure. However, reports that he is a Real Madrid transfer target were called into question.
Like many of his teammates, the 29-year-old Scot wasn’t at his best this season. Under contract until 2026, the reported £40 million fee, even if speculative, certainly set tongues wagging. While the inverted full-back system has allowed Alexander-Arnold to thrive, some argue that Robertson isn’t suited to the newer, more limited demands on the opposing flank.
Again, his future role may be linked to Liverpool’s summer signings. A successful midfield revamp could pave the way for the Reds to return to their more traditional formation, ensuring business as usual for Robertson. However, if Alexander-Arnold stays in his new role, or even moves permanently to midfield, it would imply that the shift in full-back demands is here to stay.
However, there is an argument that if Liverpool wanted to change their system, it would be advantageous to have a player who can play the inverted full-back role from the left. After all, Joao Cancelo successfully filled the role from either flank when Pep Guardiola first introduced the set-up to Manchester City last year.
With Milner leaving, Tsimikas and Gomez’s futures in doubt, and loan exits for Bradley and/or Ramsay possible, Klopp may require new full-back options regardless.
While working on this long-awaited midfield revamp, one player who could play left-back, inverted full-back, and even in midfield will be available on a free transfer.
On Sunday, a day after scoring in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-2 draw with Mainz, which wasn’t enough to keep Bayern Munich from stealing the Bundesliga title from them, Portugal international Raphael Guerreiro confirmed on Instagram that the game would be his final for the club and that he will leave BVB at the end of his contract.
According to BILD, the defender is looking for a new challenge and is attracting the attention of Atletico Madrid and English clubs, as well as Barcelona.
If Liverpool did sign Guerreiro, even on a free transfer, his age of 29 might raise some eyebrows. Nonetheless, as a versatile player who can play left back, left midfield, and central midfield, he has the potential to kill two birds with one stone.
Transfermarkt credits him with 40 goals and 50 assists from 224 appearances for Borussia Dortmund over the past seven seasons as an attacking threat from left-back. Meanwhile, his 12 assists were the most in the Bundesliga this season.
It’s easy to see why he’s been a success in three different roles throughout his career. He’s excellent on the ball, whether passing or crossing.
Meanwhile, such qualities would undoubtedly make him a good fit for Klopp’s Liverpool. Attacking down the left allows him to be a capable replacement for Robertson at left-back. His comfort on the ball would also present the option of using him as an inverted full-back from the left, if the Reds so desired.
And Guerreiro is a player who has reportedly been on Liverpool’s radar several times.
Alex Hayes, vice-president of Lorient, claimed that the Reds had made a bid for the then-23-year-old prior to his £9.5 million move to Dortmund in 2016. Klopp was looking for a replacement for Alberto Moreno at the time, before turning to Milner.
“No one wants to see Raphael leave, especially the president,” Hayes said at the time to the French newspaper Ouest France. “He will only be transferred if a club makes us an irresistible offer.”
“At the moment, four major foreign clubs have made offers, including Dortmund and Liverpool.” The fourth one should be ready soon [officially], but none of them satisfy for the time being.
Meanwhile, the Independent claimed in 2020 that the Reds had looked again to the Portuguese in the summer of 2019, reporting that he would have cost around £17 million, with a weekly salary of around £60k. If interest is rekindled, it would not be the first time Liverpool has signed a former target after missing out on him previously, with Mohamed Salah being the most famous example.
Given that Guerreiro is now approaching 30, it would be a surprise if the Reds made it third time lucky for him three years later.
Milner, 29, became the club’s greatest-ever free transfer when he arrived in the summer of 2015. The Portuguese’s versatility, age, and lack of a transfer fee are not the only comparisons that can be made between the two.
And, with Liverpool also spinning multiple plates as they look to strengthen their squad in a variety of positions, the opportunity to sign a quality player who would tick a number of boxes on a free transfer is not to be overlooked.
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