Liverpool are likely to be in the market for midfield reinforcements after enduring a difficult season in the Premier League under Arne Slott.
Alexis Mac Allister, for example, struggled in the middle of the park in the 2025/26 election campaign. The Argentine midfielder lost 55% of his ground duels and 54% of his aerial duels in the top flight, losing too many midfield battles.
One of the Premier League’s hottest midfielders is Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson, who is set to play for England at this summer’s World Cup.
Liverpool were reported to have considered signing the former Newcastle player ahead of the January transfer window earlier this year, but no one was quick to sign him.
However, there has been no talk of a move for Anderson since then, suggesting their interest in Vitor Pereira’s star man has waned.
Liverpool considering signing Premier League midfielder
Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s central midfielder to strengthen their options in the middle of the park, leaving Liverpool to look elsewhere.
Now, Andoni Iraola’s side are eyeing a Premier League talent who could arrive at Anfield next season as their own version of Elliott Anderson in midfield.
According to journalist Alan Nixon via Patreon, Liverpool are one of the teams considering signing Crystal Palace central midfielder Adam Wharton in next summer’s transfer window.
The reporter claims that the Reds and Chelsea are both interested in signing the England international who missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Nixon added that Palace view him on the same level as Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Forest’s Anderson, which is why he is seeking a £100m transfer fee to leave Selhurst Park.
Liverpool are said to be long-term fans of the former Blackburn Rovers star, but are currently balking at the £100m price tag and it remains to be seen whether a move for Wharton this summer is possible.
Why Adam Wharton becomes Liverpool’s Elliot Anderson
If the Reds are able to sign Wharton from Palace this summer, they can forget about Anderson completely and not worry in the slightest about his potential move to Manchester City.
If they decide to splash the cash and bring a star valued at £100m to Anfield, the Eagles sensation could run in midfield for Iraola, much like he did if they signed Anderson in January.
Wharton, like Forest’s star player, is a metronome midfielder, using his positioning and quality of the ball to keep his team in play, constantly advancing the ball into dangerous areas for his team’s attackers to do damage in the final third.
25/26PL | anderson | wharton |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | 34 | 38 |
Pass inside the opponent’s half | 20.6 | 29.1 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 14 | 9 |
Shah | 7.38 | 4.79 |
assist | 5 | 4 |
Possessions lost per game | 11.7 times | 17.3 times |
Both players are incredibly creative deep midfielders in the Premier League, as evidenced by their 23 ‘big chances’ in total this season.
Wharton’s ability to play forward, with his team-mates consistently winning the ball, makes him an incredibly valuable midfielder, as evidenced in his highlights from last season’s FA Cup game against Aston Villa.
Hailed as a “generational talent” by journalist Matthew Stanger, the England star is not the type of player England would normally produce in a central midfield position, as his game is more about positioning and technical quality than movement and physicality.
Both Wharton and Anderson represent a new type of English midfielder, perhaps influenced by Pep Guardiola’s arrival in England when they were coming through the youth ranks of their respective clubs.
The Palace maestro’s passing quality and creativity could make him a phenomenal signing for Liverpool, as Alexis Mac Allister has only created four ‘big chances’ in the Premier League this season and has failed to provide consistent creativity in midfield.
In addition to possessing the qualities to be a great addition to Iraola’s side, Wharton has proven himself in the Premier League and, at just 22 years old, still has room to grow and develop.
The £100m-valued ace will be signed for not only his current and future time at Anfield, so the club will need to commit to spending such a huge fee on him in the summer transfer window.
Better than Ngmoha: Liverpool ready to sign £112m Diomande replacement
Liverpool have no plans for the summer transfer window.
