Isco in action for Real Madrid. (imago Images)
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes via Anfield Watch (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are interested in signing Isco Alarcon from Real Madrid. Los Blancos are open to letting the midfielder leave this summer, and the Reds are keen on his securing his services. They are, however, not short of company in their pursuit.
The report mentions three other unnamed clubs also share an interest in the 29-year-old playmaker. Isco came through the academy of Valencia before joining Malaga in 2011. After two memorable years at Los Albicelestes, he joined Madrid in 2013, where he continues to ply his trade. But is he a player that would suit Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool?
The Reds are already a few midfielders short this season. Georginio Wijnaldum has left the club to join PSG on a free transfer after running down his contract at Anfield. Apart from the 30-year-old Dutchman’s departure, Liverpool also sanctioned the permanent sale of Serbian international, Marko Grujic, to FC Porto for £10.5m.
Make no mistake, Liverpool are not short of names in their midfield. But the conditions surrounding some of them would definitely worry some Reds fans. Take, for instance, the contract situation for several players at Anfield. Out of the many names on the list of players with their contracts expiring in 2023, quite a few of them are midfielders.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho are all within the last 2 years of their deals, while 35-year-old James Milner would be a free agent next summer, as things stand. This is without mentioning the injury records of both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita, with the duo having very little luck with fitness ever since arriving at Anfield.
As for No. 10s, the Reds don’t have an outright playmaker in their squad. Roberto Firmino, their number 9 for several years under Jurgen Klopp, played in that role when the manager wanted to try out a 4-2-3-1 formation. Another player capable of slotting in that role, Xherdan Shaqiri, is on the verge of leaving the Merseysiders this summer.
Liverpool Echo mentions that Sevilla, Villarreal, Lazio, and Napoli are linked with the Swiss international over a potential move. With a number of possible outgoings, a squad that is relatively ageing, and a number of players out of contract within 2 years, it only makes sense for Jurgen Klopp to start strengthening his midfield as soon as possible.
Ever since the Reds sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, they have not really brought in an acclaimed No. 10. And while Liverpool have scored goals at an impressive rate, their midfielders did not have a lot to do with it last season. Only Georginio Wijnaldum, who isn’t at the club now, got more than one league goal out of all their central midfielders.
And Curtis Jones was the top assist-providing midfielder in the league for them with 2. Bringing in a creative midfielder can be a possible solution for Klopp if he wants his midfielders to chip in with more tangible contributions in front of goal. If not, Isco’s versatility should be what convinces the German to get a deal over the line.
With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in line to leave for AFCON in January 2022, Isco’s ability to play on both flanks makes him a handy option to have in the squad even when Klopp has all his first-team wingers available. It remains to be seen where Liverpool go with their interest, but the 29-year-old is at an age where he can still be a regular starter for the Reds for a few years.
