Liverpool look set to be in the market to make additions to their midfielders after enduring a difficult season under Arne Slot in the Premier League.
Alexis Mac Allister, for example, struggled in the middle of the park in the 2025/26 campaign. The Argentinian midfielder lost 55% of his set-pieces and 54% of his aerials in the top flight, losing the midfield battle more often than not.
One of the most watched midfielders in the Premier League is Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, who is set to play for England at the World Cup this summer.
Liverpool were reportedly eyeing a deal for the former Newcastle man ahead of the January transfer window earlier this year, but were unsuccessful in their pursuit of his services.
They have not been linked with a move for Anderson since then, however, suggesting they have cooled their interest in star Vitor Pereira.
Liverpool are considering a move for the Premier League midfielder
Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to sign the Nottingham Forest midfielder to bolster their options in the middle of the park, leaving Liverpool looking elsewhere.
Now, Andoni Iraola’s side are eyeing a Premier League talent who could arrive at Anfield as their own version of Elliot Anderson in midfield next season.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Liverpool are among the clubs considering a deal to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The journalist says that the Reds and Chelsea both want to snatch this England player, who recently missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s team in the World Cup.
Nixon added that Palace see him on the same level as Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Forest’s Anderson, which is why they want £100m to let him leave Selhurst Park.
Liverpool are said to be long-term suitors of the former Blackburn Rovers star, but they have balked at the £100m price tag this season and it remains to be seen if a move for Wharton will work this summer.
Why Adam Wharton could be Liverpool’s Elliot Anderson
The Reds can completely forget about Anderson and not worry about his move to Manchester City at all if they can get a deal to sign Wharton from Palace this summer.
If they decide to spend the money to bring the £100m star to Anfield, Eagles sensation Iraola could run through the middle of the pitch in the same way as Anderson if they want him in January.
Wharton, as a jungler, is a metronomic midfielder who uses his position and quality on the ball to keep his side playing, constantly advancing the ball into dangerous areas for the team’s attackers to wreak havoc in the final third.
|
25/26 PL |
Anderson |
Wharton |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
34 |
38 |
|
He passes through the opposition section |
20.6 |
29.1 |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
14 |
9 |
|
xA |
7.38 |
4.79 |
|
It helps |
5 |
4 |
|
Lost possessions per game |
11.7x |
17.3x |
Both players are incredibly deep midfielders in the Premier League, as evidenced by their 23 ‘big chances’ combined in this division this season.
Wharton’s ability to always be available to his teammates to take the ball forward, as evidenced by Aston Villa’s FA Cup highlights last season, makes him an incredibly valuable midfielder.
The England star, hailed as a “generational talent” by journalist Matthew Stanger, is not the type of player England usually produce in midfield, as his game is more about positioning and technical quality than movement and intensity.
Both Wharton and Anderson represent a new breed of England midfielders, possibly influenced by Pep Guardiola’s arrival in England where both came through the youth ranks at their respective clubs.
The Palace maestro’s passing quality and intelligence would make him a good signing for Liverpool, after Alexis Mac Allister has only created ‘four big chances’ in the Premier League this season, failing to provide consistent brilliance in the middle of the park.
Despite having the qualities to be a great addition to Iraola’s squad, Wharton has proven himself in the Premier League and still has room to grow and develop at the age of 22.
The £100m ace would be a signing for the here and now and the future at Anfield, which is why the club should commit to spending such a big sum on his services in the summer transfer window.
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