Jurgen Klopp has been tipped to make a number of additions to his Liverpool midfield over the summer, with the Reds due to lose a number of senior squad members

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reviews Brentford game

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders believes the Reds do not need wholesale midfield reinforcements because they already have “England’s best midfielder” in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

England international Alexander-Arnold has had an up-and-down season at right back, but the 24-year-old’s fortunes have improved since Jurgen Klopp moved him into a hybrid midfield/defence role. This has been enough to win over Saunders, a former club record signing, to sing the homegrown star’s praises.

Liverpool’s midfield needs appear clear from the outside, with Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner out of contract in the summer. Milner is on the verge of a move to Brighton, but Saunders has played down the need for a big transfer push.

“I honestly think Liverpool don’t need to sign a midfield player,” Saunders told talkSPORT. “I think he [Alexander-Arnold] is better than all the English midfield players.

“I think Trent could play centre of midfield for England and end up captain. I think he’s a brilliant central midfield player; he’s like a caged animal waiting – you can tell he’s loving it.

“He can defend in midfield, which is not like defending as a full-back where you get isolated with the winger – he’s got defensive thoughts in his head which he can track people into the box. His feet are better than anybody’s in the England team, both feet.”

Is Alexander-Arnold Liverpool’s answer in central midfield? Have your say in the comments section

Trent Alexander-Arnold has impressed in his new role

Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfield talents, including Alexis Mac Allister and Matheus Nunes, but have essentially ruled out a move for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham thanks to the youngster’s price tag. As far as Saunders is concerned, though, the Bundesliga teenager hasn’t proved himself ahead of Alexander-Arnold in the same league.

“Bellingham is playing in a league that’s not as good as this one,” the Welshman added. “I’ll compare him with Bellingham when I see Bellingham playing in the Premier League week in, week out.”

Manager Klopp, meanwhile, has spoken about the Reds’ transfer plans with Bellingham now looking destined for Real Madrid. The 19-year-old is expected to move for a British record fee, topping the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.

Jurgen Klopp has decisions to make this summer

“I never understood why we constantly talk about things we theoretically cannot have,” the German said in April while insisting the answer was not about Bellingham specifically. “We cannot have six players in the summer for £100m [each], for example. That’s clear.

“You have to realise what you can do and then you have to work with that. How much money do we have available? Then we work with that. That’s the job you have to do.

“What we need and what we want, we try absolutely everything to get it. But there are moments we have to accept this or that are not possible for us and step aside and do different stuff.”

READ NEXT…

Liverpool are making a serious attempt at qualifying for next season’s Champions League, something that would have appeared unlikely even a month ago – and we’ve identified eight stats that prove Jurgen Klopp’s side are brilliant once more.

The Reds have spent much of the 2022-23 season toiling in mid-table as inconsistency bedevilled Klopp’s attempts at replicating last year’s title charge.

But, ever since their 4-1 defeat at Manchester City at the start of April, Liverpool have been in inspired form as they look to overhaul Newcastle and Manchester United to ensure Champions League football returns to Anfield in the autumn.

“Six games ago nobody would have thought we would be here,” Klopp told BBC Sport after beating Brentford 1-0.

“We cannot do more than win football games. If Manchester United play their games in the way they want they will be seven points away and that will be really difficult to catch.

“We have to make sure we finish the situation in the best possible way.”

United have suffered back-to-back defeats against Brighton and West Ham, increasing the hope that Liverpool can finish above their fierce rivals.

“Maybe it’s a bit too late but better late than never,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“Imagine if [Man Utd slipped up]. I don’t think they will but imagine if they did and we weren’t there. We would really regret that. If United win their two games in hand, then they are seven points away and it’s pretty much done.

“We know that. Brighton, if they win all their games in hand which is absolutely possible they are above us. It’s an interesting period. We have to make sure we keep the teams behind us, behind us because they are coming.

“Nothing is decided and that’s good.”

Regardless of where they finish, we’ve identified eight stats that show Liverpool are well and truly back.

How likely is it that Liverpool finish in the top four? 📊 pic.twitter.com/ri0pZNkOaS

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 6, 2023

– Since Arsenal came to Anfield on April 9, no player in the Premier League has contributed more assists than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s six.

– Alexander-Arnold has also created more chances, made more passes in the opposition half, recorded more penalty box entries, won more possession and made more touches than any other player since the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

– Liverpool have now won six successive Premier League games, with each of the last five being by exactly one goal – they’re the first side in the competition to win five in a row by a single goal since Birmingham in December 2009.

– With his match-winning strikes against Fulham and Brentford, Mohamed Salah has become the first player in Liverpool’s 131-year history to score in nine consecutive games at Anfield.

– And, after keeping Fulham and Brentford scoreless, Alisson has now recorded 100 clean sheets in 229 Liverpool appearances. Their improved defensive record over recent weeks will be crucial in the run-in.

– Virgil van Dijk made 10 clearances in the win over Brentford, the most by a Liverpool player in a Premier League game since Joe Gomez against Southampton in February 2020. After struggling for form this year, Van Dijk is back to his imperious best.

– No team has ever beaten Liverpool both home and away in a single Premier League campaign since Jurgen Klopp took charge. This run was assured by recent positive results against Arsenal, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

– Liverpool are now unbeaten in each of their last 12 Premier League games in the month of May; if they can maintain that kind of form, then Champions League qualification is a real possibility.

READ NEXT: The staggering PL table since Jurgen Klopp first moved TAA into midfield

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name Liverpool’s top scorer from every Premier League season?