Summer renewal, optimism, rejuvenation. The sun shines, and Liverpool are getting into shape for the new season.
Whether it ends up being two new signings or three for the midfield, Liverpool's engine room was half reborn in the spring of 2023, and the summer has already added great new dimensions.
If you include Trent Alexander-Arnold as a secondary, 'quasi' no.6, from where he was the best player in the Premier League in the final couple of months of the season, you now also have Curtis Jones, hitherto a fringe player, whose elite pressing, ball retention and recovery were a revelation. As he ages he continues to add pace, strength and stamina, as is mostly the case.
Then we're talking about two local lads who have both taken their games up arguably two levels after the old midfield chugged into near oblivion last season. Jones has also excelled as a no.6 for England U21s this summer, to show just how versatile he's becoming.
So, that's two outstanding options, that didn't really exist (beyond theory) in March. (I’ll get onto a third ‘newer’ option in Stefan Bajcetic, too.)
But that's just the start of it. Add the other emerging younger options and two new signings (aged 22 and 24), and suddenly the midfield looks future-proofed for some time.
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