Liverpool’s summer rebuild continues to gain momentum, with Arne Slot looking to add quality and depth to multiple positions.
The defense is for the time being as the club pushed to secure Giovanni Leoni in Palma and Marcuguegie in Crystal Palace.
After Jarrell Kuansa sold to Bayer Lebakusen and Joe Gomez’s calf injury, the need for defensive reinforcements grew, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dick remaining as the sole senior centre backs.
In addition to this, Liverpool’s recruitment team is also monitoring the ISAK situation in Newcastle.
If encouragement is given, they are ready to return with another bid to Swedish International.
Liverpool is targeting new midfielders
The club is targeting reinforcements in midfield, another area of the pitch.
The player in question compares it to some of Europe’s most sophisticated passersby, rather than the usual hardworking British midfielders.
For some, he is a throwback to an era in which Xabi Alonso directs tempo in Anfield, switch play with metronomy accuracy, breaking the line with his vision.
The player is Adam Wharton, a rising star at Crystal Palace, described by Henry Winter as a “press machine” and has been described by Oliver Glasner as “the decision-making is incredible.”
Wharton first became prominent after signing from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024 for the first £18 million.
His adaptation to Premier League football was seamless when fitted.
Gro caliber injury sidelined him in 17 games last season, but he still made 27 appearances in all competitions, provided two league assists and showed the kind of game intelligence associated with one of La Liga’s most cultural midfielders.
His influence was particularly evident when the Palace competed in the FA Cup final. The semi-finals against Aston Villa highlight their ability to dominate the game without making a fuss.
Liverpool is far from the only suitor. In fact, according to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, Real Madrid is understood to be monitoring the 21-year-old, but Tottenham conducted an investigation before the FA Cup final in May.
Manchester United and Manchester City are also in the mix, but with Liverpool’s long-standing praise, they are one of the top runners the palace should decide to sell.
Adam Wharton: Alonso’s colour
Xabi Alonso’s comparisons are not lazy.
Both players share deep playmaker instincts, hitting passes that scan and slice pressure before the pitch works in their place before them.
Alonso’s Anfield legacy is based on his technical elegance and tactical intelligence.
Wharton shapes himself into the same type of midfielder, combining defensive awareness with creativity. Statistically, the similarities are impressive.
According to FBREF, Wharton was ranked in the 91st percentile of key passes per 90 (1.78), the 91st percentile of progressive passes per 90 (7.31), and the 93rd percentile of shot-making action per 90 (4.03).
If the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the completed pass to the opponent’s goal or penalty area, the pass is considered progressive.
These numbers placed him on the sharpest passerby in Europe, completing the 86th percentile of the long pass (4.78 per 90) by Alonso, who once created the trademark.
Wharton was also ranked in the 93rd percentile for the dribbler.
He imposes with purpose, takes decisive action, and predicts danger early.
Current options in Liverpool’s midfield — Alexis Mac Alistair, Wataru Endo, Dominique Sobosrai, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch — all bring individual strengths, but Wharton offers a rare combination.
Defensive ability to protect the backline and technical vision to direct from deep.
In that sense, he could be a missing link when moving Liverpool from the playing stage to the next stage.
There is also a psychological element. Alonso is never upset, and Wharton has the same air of calm.
In a big moment – like the palace equalizer at the Community Shield against Liverpool he set, he seems to frequently make the right choice.
The tricks for mild decision-making in high pressure situations are what Liverpool need to build on last year’s title.
The price tag can be a sticking point. The Palace knows they have valuable assets, and interest from Madrid and multiple Premier League rivals only encourages his reputation.
According to TransferMarkt, he has a current market value of around £40 million, but trades could require a number well beyond that, especially given his age and his country’s status. Several reports suggest that the Eagles are valuing him at £100 million.
For Liverpool, the question is whether costs are worth the Alonso-esque potential impact.
For now, Liverpool’s attention may remain divided between defensive targets and Isaac pursuits, but the temptation to secure their new Alonso will be difficult to resist.
In Wharton, they don’t just buy talent – they will invest in the playing style that once underpinned one of the club’s most successful modern aspects.
