Liverpool legend urges Jurgen Klopp to steer well clear of signing two midfielders tipped for Anfield moves

Liverpool legend Steve McManaman has urged Jurgen Klopp to avoid bringing midfielders Douglas Luiz or Youri Tielemans to Merseyside.

Klopp was in the market for a new midfielder late in the summer transfer window due to injury problems in his engine room and ended up bringing in Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus.

And while Jude Bellingham remains Klopp’s No.1 target, Borussia Dortmund’s huge asking price remains a problem.

That led to the consideration of targets, including both Luiz and Tielemans, before Arthur eventually arrived.

Luiz, you came close to joining Arsenal on deadline day, is a set-piece expert whose contract runs out next summer.

Tielemans, meanwhile, will also be a free agent come next June. That means both players are likely to be bargain options in January.

But McManaman feels both midfielders will not improve Klopp’s XI and lack the quality to do so.

“Douglas Luiz and Youri Tielemans are both good Premier League players. But I don’t believe they’re good enough for Liverpool,” McManaman told Horseracing.net.

“I’m not convinced it will be a smart bit of business by Liverpool to move for Douglas Luiz. Regardless of whether his contract is expiring or not.

“I think he’s a good player. But I believe he needs to be quicker in a lot of the things he does. That is to suit the style of football that Liverpool play.

Liverpool need starting XI players

“You want to sign players that can get in Liverpool’s starting eleven and not just players who want to come and sit in a squad.

“Youri Tielemans’ contract is also set to expire at the same time. But if you’re to play for the best teams in Europe, it’s hard to find the right players that will improve your side.

“I don’t want to be disparaging towards either of these two players because they’re good Premier League players. Are they good enough to get in the starting line-up of one of the world’s best teams? I just don’t think so at the moment.”

Liverpool should at least be boosted by the return of Jordan Henderson when they return to Premier League action.

The Reds skipper was called by England as a replacement for Kalvin Phillips for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany. having initially been left out of the squad due to injury.

Klopp gave his permission for Henderson to join up with the Three Lions to build his fitness up. However, the 32-year-old is not expected to face Italy in Milan on Friday night but should be fit for Monday’s Germany clash.

The Reds are back in action on October 1 when they host Brighton at Anfield.

By that time both Arthur and Thiago are expected to be back at full fitness, which will give Klopp a midfield headache for the first time this season.

One player who is likely to keep his place, however, is Harvey Elliott. The former Fulham youngster has been the shining light in a tough start to the season and was perhaps unlucky not to earn an England call-up for the Italy and Germany games.

READ MORE: Liverpool and Arsenal among quartet chasing free-scoring winger