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Forget Kovacic, Klopp should save his cash

By Russell Hughes

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 14: Mateo Kovacic of Croatia in action during a Croatia training session during the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 14: Mateo Kovacic of Croatia in action during a Croatia training session during the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool have been linked with Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder Mateo Kovacic, but they should forget him and save the money.

Following Croatia’s World Cup final loss to France, reports have surfaced linking Kavacic with a huge move to Anfield. But if they are true, manager Jurgen Klopp has to ignore them, save the money and invest elsewhere.

Player values normally skyrocket following a successful tournament and that’s partly why Liverpool have been quoted £50 million for Harry Maguire – a man with less than a dozen England caps.

There are areas of the squad that need that cash far more badly than the midfield, which has already seen two high-class reinforcements come into the squad. Even though Gini Wijnaldum has been linked with a move away from Merseyside, there is still enough cover within the team to make sure his absence won’t be felt.

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Adam Lallana, who barely featured last season, was a key player during the previous campaign and his return would mitigate for any losses in midfield. As an attacking player, Lallana is the perfect man for Klopp and bringing in Kovacic to usurp the long-locked playmaker doesn’t make sense.

Its been harped on for ages, but a goalkeeper or another central defender would be a much better option. Both Maguire and Jamaal Lascelles have been interesting Klopp and both would be available for less than what Kovacic would cost.

Meanwhile, AC Milan want to get rid of teenage superstar Gianluigi Donnarumma – although his exit may spark the Liverpool move for Alisson Becker. Goal have reported that AS Roma want to finalize a move for Donnarumma before allowing Alisson to leave the club.

Next: Lascelles vs Maguire: who should Liverpool sign?

As tempting as it would be to bring in an attacking talent like Kovacic, who is young and would develop further under Klopp, those instincts should be ignored in favour of doing the boring thing. Maguire, Lascelles and Alisson may not set hearts racing on the pitch for the quality of their entertaining, but they could set hearts racing when they finally unlock the full potential of the side and lead the Reds to a trophy.