There is no getting away from the feeling that while Liverpool have started the new campaign with genuine promise under Andoni Iraola, we remain a work in progress when stacked against the absolute elite.
The Spaniard has his side looking increasingly confident on the pitch, but problems with the engine room persist and will need to be addressed if this team is to go from top-four contenders to genuine silverware collectors. We saw the stark reality of where the squad sits during the Champions League exit, falling to a 2-0 defeat to Paris St Germain (4-0 on aggregate) that put an end to our European campaign last campaign.
Yet for Kopites, all eyes remain firmly fixed on how Iraola reshapes this midfield. Several top midfielders have been identified as potential targets for the Reds as the winter window approaches, but they aren’t the only club looking.
Both Manchester clubs completed extensive midfield rebuilds this summer, which helps whittle down the competition, but a number of top teams including Chelsea and Arsenal are still looking.
Now, a fresh report has revealed that Liverpool already find themselves behind a rival for one of their top targets.
Since Iraola was first announced as Liverpool boss, links between the Reds and his former players have been rampant. After multiple seasons of success at Bournemouth, the Spaniard had developed a great relationship with some of his top stars, including Alex Scott.
The England international has been one of the Premier League’s most impressive midfielders for the last 18 months, and it is no surprise to see some of the division’s best sides linked with a move.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all chasing the 23-year-old, and a new report from the Telegraph suggests that the Blues find themselves in pole position.
The report states that despite Bournemouth’s insistence that they won’t sell the star in January, Chelsea remain keen and are currently leading the race for Scott’s signature over the Reds and Arsenal.It also mentions Liverpool’s interest in Lamine Camara, who reportedly came close to joining Chelsea last summer.
Scott is into the final two years of his deal at Bournemouth, and that could factor into the price the Cherries demand in the winter. As the England star gets closer to the end of his contract his price will drop, presumably below the £100 million it would currently reportedly take to secure his services, so Bournemouth may be keen to cash in whilst they can.
From a supporter's perspective, seeing Chelsea steal a march on a player who knows Iraola’s tactical demands inside out is a bitter pill to swallow. Having a manager who previously brought the best out of Scott should be our ace in the hole, yet Stamford Bridge officials are positioning themselves at the front of the queue.
If Liverpool are serious about fixing the central setup once and for all, missing out on an established Premier League talent who fits our press like a glove would be a massive blow. Chelsea may be leading the race for now, but there is still plenty of time for the Reds to put in work and Iraola’s connection with Scott could be a massive boost in ensuring he ends up at Anfield instead.
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