Liverpool are facing the prospect of needing homegrown reinforcements this summer, with the club in need of new additions to fulfil the Premier League quota.
Last season Jurgen Klopp’s squad had seven homegrown names, but James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have since departed and there are doubts over the futures of Caoimhin Kelleher and Nathaniel Phillips.
Should that duo depart, Liverpool will be left with just Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson from last season’s homegrown quota, while Curtis Jones will take the number to four after becoming too old for the under-21 category. Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho will remain on the under-21 list and do not count towards the 25-man Premier League squad.
Premier League clubs can register a maximum of 17 non-homegrown stars, so Liverpool’s lack of domestic players could lead to a reduced size squad.
With the transfer window open, we’ve looked at five players who could help solve the Reds homegrown issues.
Five players who could help Liverpool’s homegrown issues
Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)
Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League has seen top-flight clubs circle for the Saints’ top talent, with Kyle Walker-Peters among the club’s most valuable assets.
The 26-year-old has been an impressive performer across four seasons at St Mary’s and made his senior debut for England in March 2022, with the right-back having impressed Gareth Southgate with his front-footed approach.
Given the successful experiment to date of moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield, the addition of a right-back could prove a sensible one for Jurgen Klopp, particularly given Calvin Ramsay has signed on loan for Preston for the coming campaign after an injury-hit first season at Anfield.
Walker-Peters has performed well on either flank for Southampton and has a direct brand of football that could suit a ‘Big Six’ side. Despite Southampton’s struggles last season, the England international ranked in the 90th percentile or higher of right-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, successful take-ons and blocks in 2022/23.
Walker-Peters’ club team-mate, Tino Livramento, could be an alternative option with the right-back having shone during a breakthrough 2021/22 season before fitness issues last term.
Ron Robert-Zieler (Hannover 96)
Caoimhin Kelleher’s desire for regular first-team football could see Liverpool sign a new goalkeeper this summer, with cover required for Alisson should the talented Irishman depart.
????| Ron Robert-Zieler remains high on Liverpool’s transfer wish list this summer and the arrival of Jorg Schamdtke at the club makes the Hannover goalkeeper coming to Anfield more likely. [@BILD] pic.twitter.com/SCFeFzycBv
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) June 7, 2023
The 34-year-old has made 254 appearances in the Bundesliga and has earned six caps for Germany at international level, having formed part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup. He also has previous experience of English football after a short spell at Leicester in 2016/17.
Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace)
Another option to provide goalkeeping support, Sam Johnstone signed for Crystal Palace last summer but endured a frustrating first season with the Eagles.
The England international will have expected to become first-choice after arriving in South London, but did not make his first Premier League appearance of the campaign until April.
Johnstone earned a run in the side during the season’s final weeks and will hope to cement his place as number one next season, but interest from Liverpool – and the chance to compete in Europe next season – could prove tempting.
Another impressive Sam Johnstone performance ????@cinchuk ????#CPFC | #cinch pic.twitter.com/Y9tDCOfYn6
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 24, 2023
The 30-year-old has earned three caps for England since his debut in 2021.
Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)
Midfield additions are the focus for Liverpool this summer and Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey is a talent who has caught the eye of the Reds recruitment team.
The 22-year-old was named as Aston Villa’s Young Player of the Season for the second consecutive campaign last season and earned the Premier League Academy Graduate of the Season accolade after leading Villa to Europa Conference League qualification.
Ramsey scored six goals and laid seven assists in 35 league appearances and, according to GOAL, is a player Liverpool have liked ‘for some time’.
McGinn, Watkins and Ramsey. ????
Beautiful. ???? #AVLNEW pic.twitter.com/Ad40ftRiMN
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 15, 2023
“If [Alexis] Mac Allister, [Mason] Mount and [Ryan] Gravenberch are unquestionably the main midfield targets for Liverpool this season, a move for Aston Villa star Ramsey looks a little less likely. The 22-year-old is, however, a player the Reds like, and has been for some time,” GOAL’s Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones wrote last month.
“His ability to score and create goals, his running power and his potential to develop further have all been noted, but with Villa having secured European qualification under Unai Emery, and likely to demand a huge fee for their homegrown prodigy, it would take something special to prise the England Under-21s star away.”
Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Levi Colwill is another homegrown talent who will be difficult to sign this summer, but one Liverpool are understood to be interested in if Chelsea indicate the defender can leave.
Colwill shone during his first campaign at Premier League level on loan at Brighton last season and the Seagulls have already seen a permanent offer of £30m turned down.
The 20-year-old is an ideal fit for the left-sided centre-back role, should Jurgen Klopp continue with the experiment of a three-man defence – with Trent Alexander-Arnold pushed into midfield – used during the Premier League run-in.
Brighton will insist for Levi Colwill this week after £30m bid rejected. There are more clubs interested. Chelsea’s position remains clear: keep the player, offer him new deal. ???? #CFC
Blues hope Koulibaly exit can help Colwill to get guarantees on game time and sign new deal. pic.twitter.com/J3DOaxqdKa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2023
Colwill will feature for England’s u21 side at this summer’s European Championship, before returning to Chelsea for pre-season to discover his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
After an impressive season last term, he will want assurances over his place in the side before committing to Chelsea, where his current contract expires in 2025. Colwill led the Premier League for progressive passes per 90 minutes among all central defenders in 2022/23.
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