Liverpool have been urged to make a January move for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha by former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage.
Despite a summer spending spree on four new midfield recruits, the Reds’ defensive options in the engine room are somewhat limited. Alexis Mac Allister has been deployed further back, out of his natural position further forward, while Wataru Endo has been used primarily in cup competitions so far. Stefan Bajcetic is still feeling his way back from injury.
Mac Allister clearly isn’t a long-term answer in the deeper role, highlighted by him playing a part in the errors that led to his former club Brighton taking the lead against Liverpool on Sunday, and the fact on average around a goal-per-game is currently being conceded.
So to get the best out of Mac Allister and make a step towards consistent clean sheets, a natural pivot may be a requirement for Jurgen Klopp’s ‘Liverpool 2.0’.
Could Fulham’s Palhinha be the answer? Yes, says Savage, confident the Portugal international is exactly what is needed at Anfield.
“He’s a very good player. He was going to Bayern and the move fell through. Fantastic player,” the pundit told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Liverpool have transitioned well in those areas, there is more dynamism in there. [Dominik] Szoboszlai and Mac Allister are good acquisitions, recruitment has been good and I think that has gone under the radar really.
“But I think Palhinha would be a fantastic fit for Liverpool.”
The failed transfer alluded to by the 48-year-old was loosely tied to the deadline day deal for Ryan Gravenberch. While the Reds were beaming as a result of getting their man, Bayern Munich hoped to use the funds from the Dutchman’s sale to bring in Palhinha. Instead the process ended in sorrow as they couldn’t finalise the move in time.
While the Fulham man has proven himself over the course of a Premier League season and at international level, his age of 28 calls into question the benefit of making a signing of a player close to 30 for his reported £60m asking price.
Instead Liverpool were more heavily linked with 22-year-old Fluminese talent Andre Trindade, who will only become available once his club have concluded their Copa Libertadores campaign next month.
