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Liverpool transfers: The 5 best alternatives to Naby Keita

By David Gate

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 19: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal FC of Arsenal FC competes for the ball with Renato Sanches of FC Bayern during the 2017 International Champions Cup football match between FC Bayern and Arsenal FC at Shanghai Stadium on July 19, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 19: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal FC of Arsenal FC competes for the ball with Renato Sanches of FC Bayern during the 2017 International Champions Cup football match between FC Bayern and Arsenal FC at Shanghai Stadium on July 19, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /
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Max meyer liverpool Keita
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Maximilian Meyer of Germany reacts during the Men’s Football Final between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana Stadium on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /

Maximilian Meyer

Much like a move for Mahrez this transfer would be more about opportunity than anything else. Reports of Liverpool’s interest in the German international pop up every now and then. Tottenham are always cited as our chief rivals for his signature.

Like Goretzka, Meyer plays for Schalke 04 who had a very disappointing 2016/17 season in the Bundesliga. They finished in 10th place and struggled to make an impact on the league at all. It would be a huge effort for them to qualify for the Champions League this year, especially in the light of RB Leigpzig’s ascent. Therefore many of their top players are looking to leave to further their careers on other shores.

After being heralded as a teenage star Max Meyer’s career has tailed off in the last few seasons. There is a chicken and egg scenario with Meyer and Schalke. Is Meyer’s dip in form responsible for Schalke’s descent? Or is it Schalke underperforming that has led to lesser performances for Meyer? The truth probably lies somewhere in between

He is definitely more of a project than a plug-in-and-play transfer. His talent and creativity remain and at 21-years-old there is still time to hope he can become a Champions League level player. However I think the club want to buy a player that can impact the immediate future.

If the price is right I could see us making a late August bid but probably only after better options have been exhausted. One to keep an eye out for though.