Jermaine Pennant, a former Liverpool winger, thinks Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram will help Jurgen Klopp’s team compete for the Champions League next year. Both midfielders were said to be moving to Anfield in the summer and are expected to do so in the near future.
Klopp oversaw a major overhaul of his midfield before the start of this season. He allowed Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to leave after Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were released at the end of their contracts.
He swiftly brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai before adding Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch later in the window. But Pennant believes more work is needed to ensure Liverpool are competing for major honours.
Borussia Monchengladbach ace Kone and Nice star Thuram, both 22, have earned reputations as two of Europe’s up-and-coming midfield stars. Pennant is a huge fan of both and believes they would make the necessary improvements to see the Reds win the Champions League for a seventh time.
“I’d like to see Liverpool sign a proper enforcer in January,” Pennant said to Lucky Block. Manu Kone would be that player in my opinion. He would make a fantastic number six, and I would advise Mac Allister to advance more.
Kone and Khephren Thuram, both of whom I’ve always admired greatly, would be the cherry on top. You may still make it work even if he might not play as a 6. If we can secure them in January, we’ll have a dominant midfield!
They might help Liverpool win the Champions League. Liverpool’s midfield would rank among the very best if Kone and Thuram were included. That’s an unbelievable team when you include the front five and players like Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson in the back.
Despite stressing the need for further signings, Pennant was pleased with the business Klopp completed in the summer. He added: “I think this is up there with Klopp’s greatest transfer windows.
“He’s got everything down to a tee. Dominik Szoboszlai has had an unbelievable start, Mac Allister is a quality signing, even though I’d like to see him play a bit further forward.
“Endo will be reliable once he settles down, and Ryan Gravenberch also seems promising. Liverpool needed new energy and fresh legs; they now possess both. It doesn’t appear as though Liverpool’s midfield will be overwhelmed for the first time in a long time.
“They’re strong, certain, and contributing by setting goals for themselves. Compared to last season, this midfield has already scored more goals! Henderson didn’t score once, and Fab only had two goals, in my opinion. That has already been surpassed by this midfield.
