Liverpool begin £80m talks to sign an even bigger talent than Wirtz

Liverpool have problems, but against Everton, they showed a degree of spirit and resourcefulness that hasn’t been there for much of the campaign.

With Chelsea losing at home to Manchester United on Saturday, Liverpool knew they had a golden opportunity to reinforce their position in the Champions League zone, and Virgil van Dijk’s 100th-minute header left Everton crestfallen on the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It feels like many of the Reds’ problems this season have been down to mental issues more than techical quality. Failure to apply Arne Slot’s tactics and weather the adversity that has rained down in bucketloads this year.

Sweeping summer changes have also played their part, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both flattering to deceive after big-money moves, but it’s clear that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are going to need to ring the changes once more.

Liverpool in talks to sign Premier League star

Liverpool have struggled to direct their creativity this season, willing natural quality on the ball into something effective in the final third. In this, Wirtz has found himself at the epicentre, yet to take Premier League opponents by the scruff of the neck.

There have been inevitable comparisons to Rayan Cherki, who has excelled at Manchester City, and while circumstances have conspired against Liverpool’s German playmaker, he needs to do so much more.

This is one of the most talented attacking midfielders in the world, and the hope remains that he will come good. Achieving that is down to him, but Liverpool can help by restructuring their midfield.

According to transfer reporter Ben JacobsCrystal Palace star Adam Wharton has been placed on the shortlist. A deep-lying midfielder, he has been transformative for Oliver Glasner’s title-winning project, and though Palace would like to keep him, it’s expected that he will command an £80m fee this summer.

The Eagles know that he will be dreaming of Champions League football, and with third-place Manchester United also in the mix, FSG must decide quickly whether Wharton would be worth the investment.

According to Jacobs, Liverpool are one of the teams to have already opened talks over a move, lodging an initial enquiry to discuss the terms of a deal.

Why Adam Wharton could be a superstar at Liverpool

Some might have reservations over Liverpool signing a midfielder lacking the kind of physicality that has been absent in Slot’s engine room this term.

Liverpool have been far too lightweight, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch both leaving a lot to be desired.

It may be that Liverpool need a combative addition, but signing Wharton is an opportunity too good to pass up. Hailed as a “passing machine” in the centre of the park by journalist Henry Winter, he is the closest thing that England have to a midfield maestro.

Wirtz is not the same type of player, but Wharton could arguably instil a more coherent passing structure for Slot’s side. After all, he has created 11 big chances in the Premier League this season, whereas Wirtz has created only five from more advanced positions.

It is not easy to adapt to the English game, and Wirtz will surely be better off next season, but Wharton could be the solution that the higher-placed player was supposed to provide, dynamising the midfield and settling the anxieties that have consumed the Reds this year.

The Three Lions star is only 22 years old, as is Wirtz, and while the duo could strike up a wonderful partnership down the line, it’s clear that Wharton would have had a more emphatic effect at Anfield this season than the former Bayer Leverkusen man, who joined for a £115m fee.

England's Adam Wharton in action with Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta

Whether Liverpool push ahead with this one at the end of the season remains to be seen, but this is the profile that Slot’s system needs to flourish. Maybe Wirtz would benefit too.

Wharton is not an out-and-out playmaker, but instead a deep-lying conductor who helps direct play. When he’s on his A-game, he basically runs the show.

Liverpool’s Premier League Chance Creation
Season	Goals per 90	Chances per 90
25/26	1.6	2.7
24/25	2.3	3.9
23/24	2.3	3.4
22/23	2.0	3.3
21/22	2.5	3.5

The fact that he has done this for Crystal Palace in the Premier League underlines the notion that he is currently a bigger talent than Wirtz, someone who can make a real difference for Liverpool from the off.