Jurgen Klopp urged to move in new direction as Didi Hamann puts forward left-field choice for Liverpool revival

Neil Foster 24 May 2023 11:16 PM

Didi Hamann has urged Jurgen Klopp to go out and sign Newcastle midfielder Joelinton this summer to add more of a presence to his midfield.

The Reds have been tipped to revamp their midfield in the off-season after a below-par season by their recent high standards. The Merseysiders look set to miss out on a Champions League spot. They need to beat Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday and hope that Manchester United fail to pick up a point from their final two games.

That is unlikely to happen and so it will probably be a campaign in the Europa League for the Anfield giants.

The north-west outfit have rallied over the past few weeks to give themselves an outside chance of the top four.

But losing nine top-flight games would not have been on the agenda before a ball was kicked in 2022-2023.

There will be a revamp this summer to address the midfield issues. Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all leave the club.

And many players have already been linked as possibilities to replace the quartet.

The likes of Brighton’s World Cup-winning ace Alexis Mac Allister is said to be high on Klopp’s wish-list.

But players such as Mason Mount, Nicolo Barella and Ryan Gravenberch have also been linked.

However, Hamann has now had his say on the way that Liverpool should go.

Joelinton ticks all boxes for Hamann

Newcastle paid 1899 Hoffenheim £40m for Joelinton’s signature in the summer of 2019.

He was tipped for big things, having become the club’s record signing at that time.

However, deployed in a forward position, the Brazilian looked out of sorts and failed to hit the expected heights.

He bagged just four goals from 44 appearances during his first season on Tyneside.

The Saudi-backed takeover and Eddie Howe’s arrival signalled an upturn in fortunes for the former Rapid Vienna star.

He was moved into midfield and the 26-year-old has looked a different player, notching eight goals from 40 outings.

His form has mirrored that of Newcastle’s, who will play in the Champions League next term.

And Hamann feels Joelinton has shown enough to suggest Klopp should try to lure him to Anfield.

“I’d like a player like Joelinton from Newcastle, who’s got a physical presence,” he told inews.

“The players Liverpool have got are all very similar. If you look at the size of the Newcastle team and size isn’t everything, but when you stand in the tunnel and see these guys you think ‘wow’ – because they’re not just big, they can play as well.

“I would like a player of Joelinton’s stature, who can make a goal, has got a physical presence and good on the ball. He’s just an all-round player and hasn’t got too many defensive responsibilities with one player behind him.

“A player with a physical presence would suit Liverpool very well.”

Whether or not Howe is open to letting him go is another matter.

Newcastle are likely to get stronger in the coming years. And Joelinton will want to be part of a club moving in the right direction.

Liverpool Joelinton