Liverpool’s midfield transfer plan has changed after Caicedo and Lavia issues

Liverpool were planning a bit of redecorating in midfield this summer but now they’ve got to get the builders in for a rebuild.

Jurgen Klopp knew that part of his squad needed a refresh this summer with two to three earmarked to be brought in so opted out of the race for Jude Bellingham.

Argentina World Cup Alexis Mac Allister arrived early before a surprise move for Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai. There was then a plan to get a young defensive midfielder to work under Fabinho and eventually take the place of the Brazilian.

Now it has all changed. Fabinho is off to Saudi Arabia and there’s a strong chance Jordan Henderson will be going too. A vital cog in the midfield machine and the captain heading to the Middle East was not in the plan.

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There can be arguments both are getting older and cashing in now will suit the Reds. But really? Does Klopp want to be losing two senior players with pre-season underway?

No. Now there has been a rethink on transfer policy. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia remains a target.

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But, at 19, does he have the experience to run the midfield for Klopp? He certainly has the talent.

The fee could be a stumbling block there, at least £50m has been bandied about.

Moises Caicedo is the other obvious fit. That’s because he can play Fabinho’s role at No 6 and Henderson’s at No 8.

He’s also got a bit more experience at 21 and showed his brilliance in an impressive season with Brighton last term.

There would be a mammoth fee for the Ecuadorian, though. But the main problem is that those inside Liverpool believe he’s heading to Chelsea this summer.

So they would see any move for him futile with the player’s representatives already pushing for Stamford Bridge.

There’s no doubt within Liverpool that Caicedo is a supreme talent but unless Chelsea pull out, there would be no move for him. That appears highly unlikely.

So now, Klopp and new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will have to make their minds up on how to replace Fabinho and Henderson.

There’s also Trent Alexander-Arnold’s midfield abilities but defensive vulnerabilities would pose a risk to play him in a No 6 role in games where the Reds don’t dominate the ball.

Obviously the arrival of around £52m for Fabinho and Henderson will bump up the transfer kitty.

But the challenge will be to spend it on the right player and the sudden double departure puts a lot more pressure on that now.

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