Liverpool told to sign Joelinton to fix midfield problems

Jurgen Klopp has been told to sign Newcastle United star Joelinton, with Liverpool's problems in midfield becoming a real problem.

Last season Liverpool were potentially just a couple of games off winning every trophy they entered, narrowly missing out on the Champions League and Premier League.

Already this season there is worries that they could miss out on the top four in the current campaign, not helped by Monday's 3-1 defeat to Brentford.

Klopp was unhappy with the refereeing during the game, claiming that Thomas Frank's team try to stretch the rules of the game, and being particularly annoyed by the hosts third goal.

Fans weren't too keen on the excuse by the manager and their disagreement came just days after they questioned him over his opinions on transfers.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager left fans unimpressed over his discussion about how much money the club had to spend in January.

They were bemused by his choice to spend money on Cody Gakpo, even though he'd admitted last summer the club needed another midfielder.

Now the German has been implored by fellow countryman, and Champions League winner with the Reds, Dietmar Hamann to sign Joelinton.

"I think if Fabinho doesn’t pick up, they probably need a holding midfielder, and then I think they need an offensive midfielder," Hamann told talkSPORT.

"I’ve always looked at a player like Joelinton, I think they need a physical presence in midfield.

"I think they’ve got a lot of players in midfield, they’re all pretty similar, they can all handle the ball, they’re technically very gifted, but I also think they need a physical presence, especially in the Premier League.

"If Fabinho doesn’t pick up, I would say a defensive midfielder and somebody who gets a goal from midfield."

Joelinton battles for the ball during Newcastle's 0-0 draw with Arsenal. Image: Alamy

The news that the former Newcastle midfielder is suggesting Liverpool should go for one of the Magpies stars is unlikely to go down well on Merseyside or Tyneside.

Hamann may have become a European champion at Anfield, but the current manager hasn't exactly been happy to hear what the 49-year-old's had to say in the past.

Back in October the ex-player claimed the team had lost their spark, a suggestion that another journalist put to Klopp, when the manager found out who'd said it, he was less than complimentary.

"Oh great," Klopp sarcastically retorted, "He’s a fantastic source. Well respected everywhere."

Hamann with the Champions League trophy. Image: Alamy

This week Hamann risked reigniting the feud with the former Mainz boss, when he questioned if Klopp had the desire to rebuild the current team.

Jamie Carragher also brought up the fact that the team needs reinvestment, claiming that the current squad needs three new midfielders.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contracts at the end of the season and fans believe they've never truly replaced Gigi Wijnaldum.

Joelinton was initially brought to the Premier League as a forward and was more often than not the butt of plenty of jokes, due to his poor form in front of goal.

However, Eddie Howe has moved him into midfield and the Brazilian has flourished ever since, right now it looks like he'd be more likely to play in the Champions League with Newcastle than Liverpool.

Topics: Football, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28