Liverpool Academy Coach Proposes Transfer Swoop For Attacking Midfielder Dubbed 'Next Diogo Jota'

Liverpool academy coach Steve McManaman has named one attacking midfielder who can possibly provide a solution to Jurgen Klopp’s problems.

Things have not gone well for Liverpool this season, and the club’s chances of defending its English Premier League title seem to be slipping away. The Reds might consider completing another sensational transfer in the next window, but as early as now, former Anfield star McManaman is already suggesting a move for Leeds United’s Raphinha.

According to McManaman, Raphinha has the set of qualities Liverpool needs at this point. The pundit also assessed that Raphinha can quickly contribute to Klopp’s side as the Brazilian attacker can “easily fit” into Liverpool’s playing style.

"He's only just entered the Premier League so the fact that he's hit the ground running is a big plus,” McManaman said of Raphinha in his recent column for Horseracing.net. "He has a lot of skill and a lot of talent.”

“I don't want to disrespect Leeds but of course he [Raphinha] could play for a big six club,” he explained. “He could easily fit in a team like that. I just think Liverpool need a player who can change the way they play a bit. Someone like Raphinha who can play a bit wide and is someone a bit different to what they've got, I think that's the most important.”

“They need to be able to change their style and how they play and a Raphinha could easily fit into that mould,” he added. “It's something that Liverpool have to have a really good think about, the transfer committee really have to put their heads together.”

Liverpool managed to make a tremendous addition to the club’s attacking arsenal by signing Jota from Wolves.

According to Premier League legend Alan Hutton, Leeds United also did the same when they completed Raphinha’s move from Rennes, even referring to the midfielder as the “next Jota."

“You look at Liverpool, they always tend to pick out the gems from the other teams, you look at the likes of Jota and players like him,” Hutton told Football Insider last month. “They’re quite clever, when it comes to getting these gems from the other teams that have unearthed them, if you want. Raphinha’s playing at a high level, Leeds are doing really well at the moment. He could be the next Jota for them.”

Like McManaman, Hutton also thinks a player like Raphinha is suited for Liverpool and that the club should really make a move.

“It doesn’t surprise me that these teams, the likes of Liverpool, they probably need to get more players through the door, I think, to try and get them back to where they were last season,” the 36-year-old explained. “It doesn’t surprise me at all they’re looking at that type of player. [Raphinha] would suit Liverpool’s team down to the ground.”