Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp might have to make more moves in the transfer market before it shuts at the end of the month.

We already know that the defence still needs to be strengthened, the opening weekend 3-3 draw with Watford hammered the point home. I’d expect the club to launch another mover for Southampton’s Virgil  van Dijk.

At least the Burnley draw also highlighted that Liverpool are extremely strong in the forward positions.

But with star man Philippe Coutinho doing all he can to leave the club, Lucas Leiva already departing and Adam Lallana missing the next three months due to a thigh injury, it could be the midfield that Klopp also has to bolster before August is out.

The Reds have targeted RB Leipzig middleman Naby Keita all summer but the Budesliga runners-up want the Guinean international for their first venture into the Champions League. Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick has since stated Keita has an option to leave the German club next season.

Now the problem is that I’m not sure Liverpool can wait until next season before reinforcing their engine room as they too have the prospect of Champions League football on the horizon.

With that in mind I think the Merseyside giants should look at Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

The Ivorian can play anywhere in the midfield and had a terrific season last year as he helped Les Aiglons to an historic third place finish in Ligue 1.

He’s probably not as good in his defensive work as Keita would be but they recorded similar stats last term when it came to helping their team’s attackers.

Seri scored seven times and made nine assists in the French top flight during the 2016-17 campaign. his eye for a key pass or through ball is highly impressive. Defensively he made around 1.1 tackles per Ligue 1 appearances and averaged one interception per game too.

Once described as the ‘African Xavi‘ he’s obviously good at retaining the ball. During Nice’s important year last term Seri managed to top 89% in his average passing success rate stats. That kind of recycling of the ball and keeping it moving in the middle of the park will be right up Klopp’s street.

Jean Micheal is a dynamic midfielder and could be the man that bursts forward whenever Liverpool need a midfielder further up the pitch. He could be the next Ligue 1 performer that takes the English Premier League by storm.

Another major factor that could catch Liverpool’s attention is the fact that the international has reportedly got €40m release clause in his contract. That’s about half what the Red’s were willing to pay Leipzig for Keita’s services.

With FC Barcelona and Arsenal rumoured to be interested in Jean Michael Seri, I’d advise Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool board to move now if they are indeed interested in bringing the African to Anfield.

Posted on August 13th, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article